The Minister of Education, Mr. Haruna Iddrisu, has confirmed the government’s strong commitment to granting public universities more autonomy.
During his address at the University of Media, Arts, and Communication (UniMAC) in Accra on March 21, 2025, Mr. Iddrisu outlined the government’s strategy to give universities greater control over their own affairs, enabling them to make decisions independently.
Mr. Iddrisu emphasized that this move is backed by President John Dramani Mahama and Vice President Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, who both bring a wealth of experience in higher education.
He reassured that under their leadership, universities will be empowered to manage their internal governance and academic direction without external interference.
“The government is committed to providing universities with the freedom to operate and make decisions that will foster educational excellence,” said Mr. Iddrisu.
In addition to granting autonomy, the Minister discussed the government’s efforts to boost research funding.
He revealed that the National Research Fund, designed to support impactful academic research, will be launched later this year.
The fund, which will receive initial backing from the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund), will focus on supporting projects that address pressing local and global challenges.
“We are prioritizing the establishment of the National Research Fund, and with initial funding from GETFund, we expect it to begin this year,” he stated.
These measures are part of a broader government initiative to not only strengthen university governance but also ensure that research institutions have the financial support necessary to drive innovation.
By enabling universities to govern themselves more effectively, the government hopes to create a more robust higher education system that contributes meaningfully to national growth.
As Ghana moves forward with these reforms, the key question remains: How will this newfound autonomy and research funding reshape the future of higher education in the country?
In the coming months, the impact of these changes will become clearer as universities gain more control and resources to address the nation’s needs.
