Damongo University of Science and Technology Gets $30m Boost – Haruna Iddrisu
Plans to establish a University of Science and Technology in Damongo in the Savannah Region have reached an advanced stage, Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu has announced.
The Minister said the design and build work for the proposed university has been completed, paving the way for the government to mobilise resources for the commencement of the project.
He made the announcement during a citizen engagement in Bolgatanga as part of President John Dramani Mahama’s Resetting Ghana Agenda tour of the Upper East Region.
According to Mr Iddrisu, President Mahama has committed US$30 million from a grant available to him towards the start of the university project, while government works to mobilise additional funding.
Government plans to expand public universities
The proposed institution in Damongo forms part of the government’s broader plan to increase access to tertiary education and expand the number of public universities across the country.
Mr Iddrisu said government was considering establishing between two and four additional public universities, with Oti, Ahafo, Western North and Damongo identified as possible locations.
The Minister said the government’s education agenda is focused on improving access at all levels, from basic education through to tertiary education, while also directing more resources towards foundational learning and better educational outcomes.
Navrongo university may introduce medical education
Mr Iddrisu also disclosed plans to expand the mandate of the University for Technology and Applied Sciences in Navrongo to include medical education.
He said the move would be subject to the necessary accreditation and availability of additional resources.
The proposal is intended to increase opportunities for students seeking medical education, an area where limited spaces have remained a challenge for prospective medical students.
GETFund awards more than 2,000 education contracts
The education minister further revealed that the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) had awarded 2,038 contracts for infrastructure projects covering basic, secondary and tertiary education institutions across the country.
He said government was also committing between US$2.8 billion and US$3 billion under the Education Transformation for Access, Relevance, and Results for Jobs (STAR-J) project to expand access to secondary education.
Under the programme, 30 E-Blocks are expected to be completed this year, while other schools will receive infrastructure upgrades, including improvements that could enable some institutions to operate as boarding schools.
Twelve schools in the Upper East Region are expected to benefit from the programme.
Government reaffirms commitment to Free SHS
Mr. Iddrisu also reaffirmed government’s commitment to maintaining the Free Senior High School policy.
He said the focus would now include expanding school infrastructure, improve feeding arrangements and strengthening quality assurance within the programme.
The Minister described education as a key priority for the government and urged Ghanaians to support efforts aimed at expanding access and improving the quality of education.
If completed, the proposed University of Science and Technology in Damongo would add another public tertiary institution to Ghana’s growing university landscape and provide more opportunities for students in the Savannah Region and beyond.
Source: GNA
