By: Ashiadey Dotse
The Minister of Education and Member of Parliament for Tamale South, Haruna Idrissu, has urged the Indonesian government to establish an Islamic Medical University in Northern Ghana.
He made this request during a meeting with Indonesia’s Honorary Consul to Ghana, Paskal A.B. Rois, in Accra. According to Mr. Idrissu, such a university would help bridge the educational gap between northern and southern Ghana while strengthening the ties between Ghana and Indonesia.
The Minister emphasized the importance of science, mathematics, and engineering in modern education. He noted that Ghana still faces a shortage of medical doctors, especially in rural and underdeveloped areas. The proposed university, he said, would improve medical education in the region and benefit the entire country.
Mr. Rois welcomed the suggestion and promised to discuss it with Indonesian authorities. He also briefed the Minister on various scholarship opportunities for Ghanaian students in Indonesia. Currently, over 60 Ghanaian students are studying in Indonesia through scholarships, with some having already completed their programs and returned home.
The Honorary Consul also mentioned ongoing collaborations between Indonesian and Ghanaian universities. He revealed that agreements are being prepared for exchange programs between students and lecturers of both countries.
The meeting highlighted the longstanding relationship between Ghana and Indonesia, which dates back to the leadership of Ghana’s first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, and Indonesia’s first President, Achmed Sukarno. Both leaders played key roles in the Non-Aligned Movement, fostering strong diplomatic ties between their nations.
Mr. Idrissu expressed hope that the collaboration would lead to more educational opportunities and further development in Ghana’s northern region.
