Government applauds SDA College of Education for teacher training excellence

The government has commended the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) College of Education, Koforidua, for its contributions to teacher training and national development.

It said the institution had, over the years, produced graduates equipped to support quality teaching and learning nationwide – a feat central to the broader national educational transformation agenda.

Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey, Eastern Regional Minister, in a speech read on her behalf at the institution’s 16th Congregation Ceremony at Asokore-Koforidua, emphasised: “The nation’s quest for improved learning outcomes, innovation, and socio-economic transformation depends largely on the quality of teachers produced by institutions such as SDA College of Education.”

The Municipal Chief Executive of the New Juaben North Municipal Assembly, Samuel Adongo, who represented the minister, read her speech.

A total of 670 students graduated with Bachelor of Education degrees in Early Grade Education, Primary Education, and Junior High School Education.

The graduating class comprised 303 males and 367 females.

Of the total, 102 obtained First Class honours, representing 15 per cent of the cohort, while 288 earned Second Class Upper Division honours.

The Regional Minister assured the College of the government’s commitment to strengthening educational infrastructure, improving learning environments, and supporting initiatives that enhance the preparation of future teachers.

In furtherance of that agenda, she said the Government would construct the proposed multipurpose auditorium complex and male hall of residence for the College.

The projects are meant to improve infrastructure while creating a more conducive environment for teaching and learning, as the College envisions building its capacity for quality teacher education to benefit future generations of students.

Professor Esther Yeboah Danso-Wiredu, Pro Vice-Chancellor of the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), recounted the University’s longstanding partnership with the College, particularly in implementing Ghana’s teacher education reforms.

That, she said, had supported the successful rollout of the four-year Bachelor of Education programme while ensuring that teacher preparation aligned with national standards and curriculum requirements.

The partnership, renewed through a Memorandum of Understanding signed in December 2023 under the auspices of the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission, had contributed significantly to staff development, research capacity building, quality assurance, and the successful implementation of the programme, she added.

The Pro Vice-Chancellor expressed optimism about the future of the College, stating that with continued improvements in infrastructure, teaching facilities, and governance systems, the institution had the potential to evolve into a fully fledged university.

She recommended greater flexibility in approving elective courses within Colleges of Education.

Affiliated institutions and their mentoring universities should be empowered to introduce new elective options based on the availability of qualified academic staff, she explained.

Advising the graduating class, the Pro Vice-Chancellor reminded them that teachers had enormous influence in shaping society’s future.

That responsibility called for them to demonstrate competence, confidence, creativity, integrity, and a commitment to lifelong learning as they commenced their professional journeys.

She praised the Council, management, lecturers, and staff for their dedication and leadership, describing the College’s achievements as evidence of effective institutional leadership.

Prof Vincent Adzahlie-Mensah, Principal of the College, said the authorities remained committed to promoting holistic education through teaching, research, innovation, community service, and character formation.

Financially, the institution reported impressive growth, he stated, noting that the total asset value increased by 108 per cent, rising from GH¢47.8 million in 2024 to GH¢99.6 million at the end of 2025.

Despite declining enrolment, the College generated more than GH¢10 million internally through innovative revenue mobilisation strategies, the Principal stated.

The Principal appealed to the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) and the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) to support the College as it planned to continue with the stalled 300-capacity hall of residence project.

He also appealed for support to resolve the limited staffing, clearance issues, inadequate residential facilities, the absence of a suitable auditorium, and other stalled infrastructure projects.