Private universities are Partners, not competitors - Education Minister

The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has affirmed that government’s tertiary education reforms are designed “not to overshadow private universities but to empower them,” emphasising that private institutions remain indispensable partners in building Ghana’s human capital.

Delivering the minister’s message at the 22nd Congregation of the African University of Communications and Business (AUCB) in Accra on November 22, 2025, Fred Asa Kisiedu, Deputy Director in Charge of Tertiary Education, explained that government’s policies aim to create a fair, innovative and globally competitive tertiary system that benefits both private and public institutions.

Speaking to the theme, “The Government Education Policy: Implications for Private Tertiary Institutions,” he noted that the reforms currently being implemented focus on improving quality assurance, deepening digital transformation, expanding skills development and enhancing sustainable financing.

“Together, these pillars are intended to strengthen institutional performance while ensuring graduates acquire skills that meet global and industry expectations,” he said.

Kisiedu stated that enhanced accreditation processes, strengthened curriculum reviews and improved monitoring are being introduced to guarantee that all tertiary graduates regardless of their school receive training that matches global standards.

He said these measures create a level playing field where the credibility of an institution is determined by the quality it delivers rather than whether it is publicly or privately owned.

He added that the emerging policy landscape also encourages private universities to modernise their programmes, strengthen industry collaboration and continuously innovate in teaching and learning.

The minister further emphasised that Ghana’s economic transformation depends on a skilled workforce.

He said government’s focus on TVET modernisation, entrepreneurship development, and industry linkages is intended to ensure that graduates are employable, innovative and capable of meeting national development needs.

Reinforcing his message, the minister stressed that private universities are partners and not competitors, in national development.

Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Abeku Blankson, announced that the university’s attainment of a Presidential Charter in December 2024 has granted it full autonomy to award its own degrees, expand its programme offerings, and operate independently under strengthened internal governance.

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He explained that the Charter was earned through years of rigorous assessment by the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) and through the institutional commitment to quality assurance, research, and community engagement.

Prof Blankson reported that the university’s student population has grown from 1,319 to 1,833 within the year, with new admissions recorded across undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in communication, business, project management, procurement, finance and creative arts.

He noted that a total of 451 students were graduating, including 213 from communication studies, 87 from business administration, 10 from professional certificate programmes, and 140 from various postgraduate courses.

Mensah Regina Antwiwaa emerged as the valedictorian.

AM

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