Sunyani: Mr Haruna Iddrisu, the Minister of Education, has inaugurated the Governing Councils of seven Colleges of Education (CoE). These include the Bagabaga CoE, Gambaga CoE, McCoy CoE, Nusrat Jahan Ahmadiyya CoE, Tamale CoE, Atebubu CoE, and the Evangelical Presbyterian CoE.
According to Ghana News Agency, the inauguration ceremony took place in Sunyani, where Mr Iddrisu outlined the current status and future plans for the country's CoE. He noted that the nation currently boasts 48 public Colleges of Education, with recent additions established under President John Dramani Mahama's administration, including the Savanna CoE, Ghana Muslim Mission CoE, Beposo CoE, and Christ the Teacher CoE.
Mr Iddrisu highlighted that the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) is in the process of finalizing the absorption of these newly established colleges. He also provided updates on infrastructure projects, stating that construction work on 45 hostels across the colleges began in 2023. While nine hostels are in various stages of completion, work on 11 others is progressing, and the remaining projects have stalled.
The Minister disclosed that contracts for the 25 stalled projects have been terminated and re-awarded, with GHS403 million earmarked by the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETGFUND) for their completion. The completion of these facilities is expected to alleviate student accommodation challenges at the colleges.
Mr Iddrisu also expressed concerns over the transition of CoEs into university status, which is impacting legal frameworks. He mentioned that GTEC has been instructed to collaborate with the Attorney General's office to address these challenges. He urged council members to work closely with GTEC on key decision-making processes, particularly in appointments.
