Akufo-Addo reiterates government’s commitment towards universities
President, Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo, has said the government is committed to supporting the tertiary institutions in the country to help produce human resource for the rapid national development.
“Let me assure you of government’s steadfast commitment to initiate social policies and programmes in our universities to enhance the capacity of graduates to contribute to the social and economic transformation of the country”, he said.
President Akufo-Addo said this on Thursday at the Simon Diedong Dombo University of Business and Integrated Development Studies (SDD-UBIDS) at Bamahu, a suburb of Wa, during the investiture of the first Vice Chancellor and first Registrar of the university, Professor Philip Duku Osei and Mr Job Asante, respectively.
The President was accompanied by some ministers including; the Minister of the Interior, Mr Ambrose Dery and the Deputy Minister of Education, Reverend Ntim Fordjour.
President Akufo-Addo, therefore, expressed hope that the SDD-UBIDS would produce high quality graduates who would take up available opportunities and possibilities for higher achievement through creativity and entrepreneurship for their personal and national development.
He indicated that he was in active discussion with the Minister of Finance on the seed capital for the SDD-UBIDS for the smooth functioning of the university to enable it achieve its mandate.
The President expressed optimism that the vast experiences of Prof. Osei had made him appropriate for the assignment and gave the assurance that his government would help ensure that the university fulfilled its mandate.
While congratulating the new Vice Chancellor and Registrar, President Akufo-Addo said, “I am hopeful that with you, we have persons capable of laying the foundation for the rapid take off of this university”.
He explained that the SDD-UBIDS remained dear to his heart since it gained autonomy during his administration and would do everything within his remit to ensure the development of the university.
On the economy, he explained that the economy of the country was recuperating from the shocks of the COVID-19 pandemic, which according to him experienced “positive but slow growth in 2020”.
“Our growth performance compares favourably with the IMF growth rate of 3.7 per cent for Sub-Saharan Africa and 6 per cent from the ECOWAS community. We are still on course, we have physical consolidation agenda.
“The Ghana Revenue Authority exceeded its 2021 tax revenue target and we are confident we will exceed if not surpass the GHS 80 billion target for this year”, the President added.
He explained that the rebounding of the economy would enable the government to continue the implementation of its policies and programmes such as the Free Senior High School, Planting for Food and Jobs and One-District-One-Factory programmes and the provision of jobs for the youth.
President Akufo-Addo said the government had set aside GHS 10 billion for the next two years to support youth entrepreneurs to start new businesses and to expand existing businesses to help create employment.
Source: GNA