By Elisha Oduro-Pinkrah
Accra, Aug. 22, GNA – Mr Haruna Iddrisu, Minister of Education, has inaugurated the Governing Councils of 10 Colleges of Education, urging them to lead transformational change.
The colleges include Akatsi, Dambai, St Francis, Foso, Our Lady of Apostles, Holy Child, Kibi, Presbyterian Women’s, Seventh Day Adventist, and St Louis Colleges of Education.
Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony in Accra, Mr Iddrisu said government remained committed to strengthening teacher education through substantial investment in infrastructure and human resource development.
He announced that stalled hostel projects across the colleges would be reactivated at a cost of GH¢410 million this year, with an additional GH¢200 million earmarked for faculty development, staff support, and student feeding.
Mr Iddrisu said government had fulfilled its pledge to migrate faculty and staff of all 46 colleges to university status, settling outstanding arrears from the enhanced remuneration scheme introduced in January 2023.
“Book and research allowances for the colleges have increased from GH¢31 million last year to GH¢101 million this year. For the entire tertiary education sector, allocations have risen from GH¢428 million to GH¢712 million,” he said.
He noted that while these figures demonstrated government’s commitment to higher education, they also imposed budgetary constraints that limited the recruitment of new staff.
The Minister outlined a long-term vision to empower colleges, in collaboration with affiliate universities, to broaden their academic offerings beyond teacher education.
“I do not see why someone should travel from Pusiga to Legon to study Psychology when, with the right support, Gbewaa College could offer such a programme,” he said.
Chairmen of the newly inaugurated councils pledged to work collaboratively with principals, staff, students, alumni, and other stakeholders to achieve institutional goals.
They emphasised teamwork, mentorship, and alumni engagement as essential to the success and growth of their respective colleges.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey