The government is planning to extend the Students’ Loan Scheme to include students in private universities, Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu has said.
According to him, the goal is to ensure that all qualified students—whether in public or private institutions—have access to loans to support their education.
“We are currently doing a financial review, and once that is completed, we will decide on expanding the loan scheme,” Mr. Iddrisu said. “At the end of the day, it’s a loan that must be repaid, so what matters is how well it is managed and whether we can raise the loan amount to ease the burden on students.”
The minister made these remarks during the inauguration of the new 13-member Governing Council of the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) in Accra last Friday. The council is chaired by Professor Mahama Dwiejua.
Members of the GTEC Governing Council
The newly inaugurated council includes:
- Rev. Prof. John Frank Eshun (representing Vice Chancellors Ghana)
- Prof. Fred Mcbangonluri (representing private universities)
- Mamle D. Andrews (Ministry of Education)
- Samuel Danquah Arkhurst (Ministry of Finance)
- Stella Otema Badu (Attorney General’s Department)
- Dr. Isaac Nii Moi Thompson (National Development Planning Commission)
- Zakaria Sulemana (Commission for Technical and Vocational Education and Training)
- Prof. Ahmed Jinapor Abdulai (Director-General, GTEC)
- Prof. Ernest Davis (Director-General, Ghana Education Service)
- Dr. Eric Kofi Adzroe (Director-General, Technical and Vocational Education Training Service)
- Dr. Berlinda Glover-Dake
- Prof. Emmanuel Kancheba Derbile
Speaking on the regulation of private universities, Mr. Iddrisu asked the Commission to consider whether obtaining a presidential charter should be mandatory for all private universities. While he clarified that the government does not intend to interfere with GTEC’s regulatory work, he noted that the issue of accountability for private institutions needs attention.
“It’s not sustainable for private universities to remain unaffiliated forever. A 10-year transition period could be considered, after which no private university should operate without a charter,” he suggested.
He emphasized that although universities can partner with others, they must maintain high academic standards and not rely entirely on affiliations.
Mr. Iddrisu reaffirmed the government’s support for the council and called for improvements in the quality and relevance of tertiary education. He referenced concerns raised by UNESCO about overcrowded classrooms, inadequate student housing, and a mismatch between academic training and industry needs.
“There is a growing gap between what universities are teaching and what employers require. The President has asked the Commission to address this mismatch and help shape the future workforce of the country,” he said.
The minister also hinted at plans to launch a Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Fund. The aim is to establish a top-tier vocational institute in every region by 2027, modeled after successful systems in countries like Germany.
He said that an initial allocation had already been made to signal government commitment and attract support from donors and private sector partners.
