UE/R: SOCO PROJECT FACILITATORS URGED TO WORK HARD FOR THE SUCCESS OF THE PROJECT – DCE NABDAM
By – Sadat Dabo
Minister for Education Haruna Iddrisu has outlined the Mahama administration’s sweeping education agenda, highlighting major investments in schools, universities and learning infrastructure aimed at expanding access and improving quality across the country
Speaking at the Citizens’ Engagement held at Desert Pastures in Bolgatanga to climax President John Dramani Mahama’s two-day “Resetting Ghana Tour” of the Upper East Region, the Education Minister said the government had prioritized education from the basic to the tertiary level
According to Mr. Iddrisu, the government has so far awarded 2,038 GETFund contracts covering basic, secondary and tertiary education projects nationwide to improve access to quality education
At the tertiary level, he disclosed that the Mahama administration is working to establish new public universities in underserved regions, including Oti, Ahafo, Western North and Damongo in the Savannah Region. He announced that work on the proposed University of Science and Technology in Damongo is at an advanced stage, with the President committing US$30 million in grant funding to commence the project while efforts continue to mobilize additional resources
The Minister also announced plans to upgrade the region’s university into a University for Allied Sciences, enabling it to offer medical education once the necessary accreditation and resources are secured
For secondary education, Mr. Iddrisu revealed that the government is investing between US$2.8 billion and US$3 billion through the World Bank-supported STAR-J programme to expand access to senior high education. He said 12 schools in the Upper East Region will benefit from the initiative
He further disclosed that the Finance Minister has signed a US$42 million agreement to support the construction of a state-of-the-art STEM secondary school in Bolgatanga
Addressing land encroachment issues, the Education Minister warned that government would take decisive action against individuals attempting to take over lands belonging to educational institutions, including Zamse Senior High Technical School (ZAMSTEC).
“We will deal swiftly and decisively with anyone encroaching on school lands,” he assured.
Mr. Iddrisu also announced plans to construct two special needs schools in Wa and Sunyani, while work is expected to begin soon on regional libraries in the Upper East and Volta regions with funding from the District Assemblies Common Fund
He further disclosed that funding secured from Italy will support the retooling of technical universities, including Bolgatanga Technical University
Source – gbcuraonline.com
