USTED Congregation: Universities must lead innovation, not just teach, examine – Dr. Apaak

Deputy Minister for Education, Dr Clement Apaak, has urged universities to drive innovation and national problem-solving beyond classroom teaching.

Delivering his address at the University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development (USTED), Dr Apaak said Ghana’s higher education institutions must move decisively from traditional academic routines to become active engines of ideas, policy input, and enterprise.

“Government expects our universities not only to teach and examine, but to think, innovate, advise, and lead,” he stated, stressing that relevance in today’s economy is defined by impact, not certificates.

He framed the call within a broader shift in national education policy that places skills, technical training and entrepreneurship at the centre of development.

According to him, universities that align teaching with innovation and industry needs will be best positioned to tackle youth unemployment and productivity gaps.

“Institutions like this are not only preparing graduates to seek jobs; they are equipping them to create jobs, solve problems, and drive productivity across sectors,” Dr Apaak said.

The Deputy Minister highlighted the strategic importance of the University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development, describing it as “Ghana’s premier public institution for skills training, TVET teacher education, and entrepreneurial development,” and noted that its mandate remains intact despite recent legal changes to university names.

“Names matter. They communicate identity, mandate, and purpose,” he explained, adding that the policy direction seeks to protect academic independence and clarity of mission.

Dr Apaak pointed to USTED’s rapid growth as evidence of rising confidence in skills-based education, citing enrolment expansion from about 17,600 students in 2020 to more than 38,000 within five years.

He also praised the institution’s engagement in national initiatives, including entrepreneurship programmes that help young people “transition from ideas to enterprises,” describing such efforts as “nation-building.”

Beyond skills training, he urged stronger university involvement in policy formulation, referencing faculty contributions to major national frameworks.

“The involvement of academic staff in national planning underscores the role universities must play in shaping Ghana’s long-term future,” he said.

On access and inclusion, Dr Apaak said government interventions in tertiary education were deliberate investments rather than welfare measures.

“These are not handouts. They are strategic investments in human dignity, equity, and national productivity,” he noted, referencing support for first-year students and persons with disabilities.

Addressing graduating students, the Deputy Minister challenged them to prioritise creativity and ethics.

“Ghana does not merely need degree holders; she needs problem-solvers, innovators, ethical leaders, and skilled creators of value,” he said, urging them to use their training to create opportunities for themselves and others.

He assured the university community of continued state backing for skills-oriented education and infrastructure development, maintaining that universities that innovate and lead will remain central to Ghana’s transformation agenda.