The Minister for Education has announced a series of key initiatives to improve infrastructure and governance within Ghana’s Colleges of Education.
Inaugurating a seven governing councils of colleges of Education in Sunyani, the Minister confirmed that Ghana now has 48 public Colleges of Education, funded by the taxpayer. This includes three institutions recently added under the previous administration, namely Savanna College of Education, Ghana Muslim Mission College in Beposo, and Christ The Teacher College in Nsoko.
The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has been tasked with finalizing the absorption processes for these three colleges.
The Minister also provided an update on the government’s ongoing efforts to address the shortage of hostel facilities in these institutions.
“In 2023, the Ministry of Education initiated processes for the construction of 45 hostels across 46 Colleges of Education,” the Minister stated. “Unfortunately, only nine of these projects have made significant progress and are nearing completion, while 11 have shown steady progress, and 25 have not seen much work done.”
To rectify this, the Minister announced that contracts for the stalled projects have been canceled and will be re-awarded. An estimated GHS 403 million has been allocated under the GETFund for the completion of these projects to ease pressure on hostel facilities.
Furthermore, the Minister highlighted the ongoing transition of the 48 Colleges of Education to university status. This migration affects the scheme and conditions of service for staff, as well as the enabling Act that established the colleges.
GTEC has been tasked with working with the Attorney General’s department to amend the Act to reflect their new status, a process that is expected to be finalized during the next sitting of Parliament.
Recognizing the complexities of this transition and the absence of a properly functioning Act, the Minister has requested that all college councils work in close collaboration with GTEC on major decisions, particularly concerning key appointments.
The Minister also noted that approximately 20 principals will be retiring or completing their mandatory terms next year. He urged the governing councils of these institutions to work with the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission to ensure a seamless replacement process.
The Ministry of Education remains committed to ensuring a smooth transition and providing the necessary support to enhance tertiary education in Ghana.
