The Private Universities Founders Association of Ghana (PUFAG) has paid a courtesy call on the President of the Republic, reaffirming its commitment to quality higher education and constructive engagement with government on key policy reforms affecting the private tertiary sector.
The delegation, led by Professor Martin Gyambrah, Executive Secretary of the Association, used the visit to brief the President on concerns and proposals emerging from recent consultations with private universities, particularly on the proposed university charter regime.
Professor Gyambrah noted that while the Association supports the charter concept as a pathway to institutional growth and autonomy, it should not be imposed compulsorily.
“Charter is important, but it should not be by compulsion. Every institution aspires to grow and become full-fledged, but it should not become a source of punishment,” he said.
He welcomed the President’s openness to dialogue, recalling that following stakeholder engagements, the President had agreed that the policy paper on the charter should be resubmitted to Cabinet for further review.
“After all we have heard from the universities, and with Your Excellency’s agreement that the paper be resubmitted to Cabinet, we believe a more balanced outcome can be achieved,” Professor Gyambrah stated.
The Association also emphasized the need for stronger and more rigorous accreditation processes, especially if the charter system is made optional, to ensure quality and value for money for students.
“Students are paying very high amounts of money.
Accreditation of subject areas must therefore be even more intense so that universities can justify their existence and deliver quality education,” he added.
Encyclopedia Africana Project
During the meeting, PUFAG also drew the President’s attention to the Encyclopedia Africana project, an initiative originally started by Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. Professor Gyambrah explained that the African Union had adopted the project and mandated the production of a fourth volume focusing on the contributions of Africans, people of African descent, and the diaspora to scientific development.
He disclosed that he currently chairs the AU-appointed scientific committee tasked with producing the volume, which includes scholars from Egypt, Nigeria, Morocco, South Africa, Kenya, and Ghana.
“If Ghana leads the successful production of the fourth volume, it will be a big feather in the cap of our country,” he said, appealing for presidential support to see the project completed within the President’s remaining term in office.
The President welcomed the delegation and commended private universities for their role in expanding access to tertiary education, assuring them of government’s readiness to engage stakeholders in shaping policies that promote quality, growth, and national development.
Story: Patrick Asford Boadu
