?173b Released to 5 state varsities

The government has allocated an amount of ?173 billion to the five state universities to undertake various projects.

They are the University for Development Studies (UDS), the University College of Education, the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology the (KNUST), University of Ghana, Legon, and the University of Cape Coast.


In addition, an amount of ?6.3 billion has been allocated to carry out expansion and rehabilitation of senior secondary schools throughout the country.


The Minister of Education, Prof Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi, announced this at the official launching of the golden jubilee celebrations of Bishop Herman College in Accra yesterday.


The occasion was also used to raise funds to equip the school with basic logistics before the anniversary in February, next year.


He said, “An amount of ?20 billion has also been earmarked to complete constructional works on 20 vocational and technical (VOTEC) resource centres in the country”.

Prof Ameyaw-Akumfi said the moves form part of government’s intention to restructure the infrastructural and logistic base of the educational sector to reflect the demand for better educational standards in the country.


He said, “Government places high priority on the educational sector, since it is the bedrock of national development.”


The minister pledged government’s determination to make education a right, not a privilege.


The minister reiterated government’s directive to second-cycle and tertiary institutions to charge last year’s fees level for the 2001/2002 academic year.


Prof Ameyaw-Akumfi said the government has honoured its obligation by making available a total of ?85 billion to both second-cycle and tertiary institutions in the country to meet their needs.

He acknowledged the contributions of religious bodies and Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) towards raising the standards of education in the country.


He praised Bishop Herman College for its high educational standards that have positioned the school among one of the best in the country.


The Catholic Bishop of the Ho Diocese, the Most Rev Francis Lodonu, who launched the programme, said the Catholic Church will complement government’s effort at ensuring a strong moral character formation for the youth through education.