President Nana Akufo-Addo has commissioned the newly constructed Silver Jubilee Building at the University for Development Studies (UDS) Nyankpala campus in the Northern Region.
The Silver Jubilee Building project was a birthday promise made by President Akufo-Addo to UDS Nyankpala campus.
The three-storey building complex, constructed by Builders Company Limited,aims at providing lecture halls and offices on the Nyankpalacampus for effective teaching and learning.
At the commissioning of the Silver Jubilee Building at the UDS Nyankpala campus, President Akufo-Addo noted that the Silver Jubilee Building will help provide the much-needed space for effective teaching and learning, enabling students to thrive academically, and faculty to excel in their research and professional endeavours.
“Let us continue to invest in education at all levels, ensuring that every Ghanaian child, no matter their background or circumstance, has access to quality education and the opportunity to reach their full potential,” he stated.
He said government has expended considerable energy and resources on the education sector, because they recognise that education is the most powerful tool to transform the nation.
“The considerable budgetary allocations within the period, totaling some GH¢12.8 billion, demonstrates the shared determination of government to ensure that education becomes a catalyst around which the transformation of our nation revolves.
“We believe that an educated population is the bedrock of a thriving democracy, a vibrant economy, and a just society.
“It is for this reason that we have implemented policies aimed at improving access to education at all levels. One such policy is the no guarantor policy, which has helped improve access to tertiary education in Ghana.
“This policy has removed the financial barriers that have historically prevented many brilliant students from pursuing higher education,” President Akufo-Addo said.
According to him, by eliminating the need for a guarantor to access student loans, government has opened the doors of opportunity to countless young Ghanaians who otherwise might not have had the chance to advance their education.
“This has meant a large increase in the numbers of students seeking tertiary education, from 443,978 students in the 2016-2017 academic year to 711,695 in the 2020-2023 academic year, an increase of 60.3 percent. It is in response to this increase that the government has decided to establish four new universities in Mampong in Ashanti Region, Akrodie in Ahafo Region, Bunso in the Eastern Region, and Kintampo in Bono East Region, and expand the facilities in existing ones,” he affirmed.
President Akufo-Addo disclosed that government is pursuing interventions towards achieving by 2030 the 40 percent gross tertiary enrolment ratio up from the current level of 18.84 percent, as well as the 60:40 Science to Humanities ratio from the current one of 40:60 as captured in the Education Strategic Plan 2018-2030.
“Even though our target for the gross tertiary enrolment ratio is ambitious, it is as well for us to record that the equivalent ratio in Korea, according to the World Bank, is 103 percent. My government has also placed considerable importance on the payment of research and book allowances to academia, recognising the pivotal role that educators and researchers play in national development,” he stated.
He appealed to all universities in Ghana to strengthen their ties with industry, government and the communities they serve, and that by doing so, they can ensure that their research and teaching are aligned with the needs of the society to contribute directly to the realisation of the national development goals.
“This building stands as a symbol of our collective dedication and devotion to education, development, and progress. It is a reminder of what we can achieve when we work towards a common goal.
Thank you once again for the warm welcome, and I’m confident that together we will build a better Ghana,” President Akufo-Addo added.
The Vice-Chancellor of the University for Development Studies, Professor Seidu Al-Hassan, thanked President Akufo-Addo for fulfilling his promise made to the university, adding that the building will greatly enhance teaching and learning at the university.
Prof. Al-Hassan, however, appealed to government to assist the university complete various infrastructure projects ongoing at the various campuses, to ensure that teaching and learning is enhanced.
BY Eric Kombat, Nyankpala