The Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to completing all projects under the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFUND) initiated by the previous administration.
He bemoaned the practice where successive governments abandon projects started by predecessors and described the act as one that costs the taxpayer.
In this regard, the Minister has directed GETFund to compile an inventory of all uncompleted educational projects nationwide.
He explained that the inventory will help the Ministry formulate a clear strategy to ensure the timely completion of stalled projects.
He made this known during the swearing-in ceremony of the Accra Technical University (ATU) Council on Tuesday, July 22.
The Minister emphasised the importance of due diligence in the dealings of the board and urged them to fill the vacant vice chancellor position as soon as practicable.
“I am also aware of a number of uncompleted projects in the school. I have asked GETFund to give us an inventory of the uncompleted projects across the country in order that we will have a plan to get it,” he stated.
The Tamale South MP urged the newly sworn-in council to expedite the process of appointing a Vice-Chancellor, noting that the university has been without one for the past two years.
“I am reliably informed that the institution has been without a Vice-Chancellor in the last two years. That vacancy necessarily will affect management. I am sure the council will want to consider it as a matter of urgent action,” he added.
He also highlighted the need to rebrand the technical universities as valuable pathways for practical skills to career readiness.
For his part, Board Chair Professor Kofi Abotsi echoed the Minister’s call for a rebranding of the universities and affirmed his commitment to seeing it through, with the goal of producing the technical expertise Ghana needs.
