The Minister of Education, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, has committed to incorporating teachers trained at the University of Education, Winneba (UEW) into the Ghana Education Service (GES). This promise was made during a meeting with a UEW delegation led by Vice-Chancellor Professor Stephen Jobson Mitchual on February 24, 2025.
Hon. Iddrisu acknowledged that despite the rigorous training provided by UEW, the Ministry has not fully utilized its graduates in teacher recruitment. He assured the delegation that the Ministry is committed to rectifying this oversight and ensuring that UEW-trained educators are given their rightful place within the GES. This announcement is expected to ease the frustrations of many UEW graduates who have struggled to secure employment.
The UEW delegation raised several pressing concerns, including delays in appointing the university’s Governing Council, land encroachment, legal battles, staff shortages, and employment uncertainties. The Minister acknowledged these challenges and promised decisive action to resolve them.
In addition to addressing recruitment concerns, Hon. Iddrisu announced the impending launch of the National Research Fund later this year. This initiative aims to provide financial support for academic research across various disciplines, and he encouraged UEW to take full advantage of the opportunity.
The Minister also addressed the bureaucratic delays in replacing retiring or departing staff due to government clearance processes. He disclosed that he had already engaged the Minister of Finance to expedite solutions to this ongoing challenge.
On the matter of land encroachment, Hon. Iddrisu expressed his firm commitment to protecting UEW’s property. He assured the delegation that any necessary correspondence with the Lands Commission would be made to secure the university’s ownership rights under Ghanaian law.
Regarding the composition of university governing councils, the Minister revealed that all councils would be reconstituted by March 30, 2025. He emphasized that the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) had been instructed to seek institutional nominations directly from universities to ensure a transparent and lawful selection process.
Hon. Iddrisu reiterated his commitment to strengthening higher education in Ghana, emphasizing the government's dedication to expanding educational access, improving governance, and ensuring financial sustainability for public institutions.
“I am eager to collaborate with UEW to enhance the relevance and quality of higher education while promoting equity across the sector,” he affirmed.
The Minister’s pledge marks a significant milestone in addressing the employment challenges faced by UEW graduates. By absorbing these qualified teachers into the GES, the Ministry aims to harness their expertise to improve educational standards and address staffing gaps in the nation’s schools.
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