Deputy Agric Minister bemoans exorbitant fees, poor quality training by private universities

Deputy Minister of Agric, Kennedy Osei Nyarko has descended heavily on private institutions accusing them of charging high fees thereby limiting access to tertiary education for many people who are eligible to attend.

He bemoaned the current situation disclosing that the fees charged by these private institutions are mostly to satisfy the profit-making desires of the owners of the institution.

Kennedy Osei Nyarko also expressed worry at the poor quality of products that some of these private universities churn out explaining that despite the high fees charged, private universities do not adequately train their students.

He was concerned that most of the graduates produced by the private universities are deemed unfit for the job market and not up to standard

He admitted that “it must be placed on record that whilst private universities are not indispensable, there are clearly issues of concern that need to be urgently addressed”

The deputy Agriculture remarked “the quality of training being provided some private tertiary institutions has been in question. Graduates from these institutions are normally deemed to be substandard and unable to cope with the work demands of many organisations. Sadly this raises serious doubts about the credibility of some private universities even though they have been adjudged to have met the eligibility criteria for accreditation. The irony about this is that exorbitant fees are been charged by the private universities ostensibly to make super abnormal profits”

Kennedy Osei Nyarko made these comments when he delivered a speech on behalf of the Agriculture Minister, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, who was to be the special guest at the 6th Congregation ceremony of the KAAF University College held at Feteh Kakraba in the Central Region

A total of three hundred and fifty-three (353) students were presented for graduation with 47 awarded first class honours, 168-second upper division, 122-second class lower division and 16 students had pass.

The theme for this year’s congregation was “Improving access to tertiary education; The role of private universities in Ghana”

KAAF University College is accredited by the National Accreditation Board and affiliated to the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, GIMPA and UDS, Tamale