In a significant push to elevate Ghana’s tertiary education landscape, the Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting academic research and infrastructure development with the launch of a GHC50 million National Research Fund.
The announcement was made on Friday, April 25, in Accra during the official inauguration of the newly constituted Governing Council of the University of Ghana. The 18-member council, now chaired by legal luminary Marietta Agyeiwaa Brew, is expected to play a central role in steering the university’s strategic direction.
Addressing the council members after administering their oath of office, Minister Iddrisu emphasized the urgent need for universities to become engines of national development through innovative research and effective partnerships.
“The president has asked me to convince you that this year, he intends to operationalise the National Research Fund,” the minister stated. “An amount of GHC50 million has already been allocated to support this initiative.”
The fund, he said, will help empower universities like the University of Ghana to conduct impactful research aligned with national priorities, addressing challenges in sectors such as agriculture, health, technology, and education.
In addition to research support, Iddrisu underscored the importance of expanding infrastructure to accommodate the growing student population. He encouraged the university to explore public-private partnerships to develop both academic and residential facilities.
“The university must sail through an appropriate, legitimate public-private partnership to expand your infrastructure, in order that you can go and improve the student population,” he added.
The new Governing Council will be expected to guide these efforts, ensuring the university remains not only Ghana’s premier tertiary institution but also a regional hub for academic excellence and innovation.
