By Sarah Baafi
In a move aimed at addressing the employment challenges faced by graduates of the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), the Minister of Education, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, has pledged to integrate UEW-trained teachers into the Ghana Education Service (GES). This commitment was made during a courtesy call by a delegation from UEW, led by its Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Stephen Jobson Mitchual. Hon. Iddrisu acknowledged that the Ministry of Education had not been fully utilizing the skills of UEW graduates in the recruitment of teachers, despite their comprehensive training.
The Minister assured the delegation that he had taken notice of the situation and would address it to ensure that UEW-trained teachers are properly absorbed into the system. This development is expected to bring relief to UEW graduates who have been facing challenges in securing employment with the GES. The UEW delegation also highlighted several critical issues affecting the university, including challenges with Governing Council appointments, land encroachment, legal disputes, staffing shortages, and employment concerns. The Minister acknowledged these challenges and assured the delegation of his ministry’s willingness to address them
In addition to addressing employment issues, Hon. Iddrisu announced that the National Research Fund would be rolled out later in the year, providing funding opportunities for academic research in various fields. He encouraged UEW to take advantage of the initiative to support its research activities. The Minister also addressed UEW’s concerns regarding the difficulty in replacing retiring or departing staff due to government clearance requirements. He revealed that he had already raised the issue with the Minister of Finance and was working on a solution. Furthermore, he expressed his full support in addressing UEW’s persistent challenge with land encroachment, assuring the institution that he would take necessary actions to safeguard its lands.
Hon. Iddrisu expressed his keenness to collaborate with UEW to enhance higher education in Ghana. He assured the university’s leadership of the government’s commitment to expanding access to education, improving governance, and ensuring financial sustainability for higher institutions. “I look forward to the opportunity to collaborate with you. I assure you that I will make every effort to expand access to higher education, enhance its relevance, and ensure both equity and quality,” he expressed. This commitment by the Education Minister is seen as a significant step toward addressing the unemployment concerns of UEW graduates and ensuring that they are utilized effectively in the education sector.
