Acting President of the Ghana Baptist University College (GBUC), Wiafe Nti Akenten, has emphasised the need for the government’s educational policies to consider private universities for holistic human resource capacity building.
In an exclusive interview with Joy News, he explained that while GBUC invests heavily in logistics, facilities, and student welfare, the government’s support, such as free tuition for students, has yet to be extended to private universities.
“Currently, only part of the student population benefits from the government’s assistance. This creates financial challenges for private universities and limits our ability to fully support students,” said Mr Nti Akenten.
He stressed that private universities continue to uphold high standards of education and personal development, preparing students to serve their communities effectively.
He therefore appealed to the government to extend such policies to private institutions.
“Even minimal support would enable us to provide more resources and opportunities for our students,” he stated.
Registrar of the Ghana Baptist University College, Mrs. Genevieve Afrah Agyei-Mensah, echoed these concerns, noting that the expansion of public universities across regions poses additional competition, further challenging private institutions to remain sustainable.
She emphasised that with even small levels of government backing, private universities like GBUC could excel even further in producing graduates capable of contributing meaningfully to Ghana’s development
Ghana Baptist University College made the call for greater support for private higher education in Ghana at its 2025 graduation ceremony in Kumasi.
The graduation recognised the hard work of students while emphasising the role private universities play in equipping graduates with skills to solve national challenges.
In his keynote address, Rt Rev. Professor Safo Kantanka, former Bishop of the Kumasi Diocese of the Methodist Church, urged young graduates to rise above the employment challenges in the country to be innovative in technical and vocational skills.
He emphasised that problem-solving and practical skills are crucial, where industrial and technical development often lags behind the number of graduates entering the workforce.
“Ghana must strengthen technical and vocational training while supporting graduates to solve real problems. Those who do will always find opportunities,” Prof. Kantanka said.
Valedictorian, Jonathan Opoku Asare, reflected on the journey of his mates, expressing gratitude to lecturers and families who shaped their academic and moral foundation.
“Greatness is not perfection; greatness is transformation. Excellence is not a destination; it is a continuous journey. May we never stop learning, serving, or striving for greatness,” he said.
A representative of the Vice-Chancellor of UCC, Prof. Ernest Obese, encouraged graduates to embrace curiosity and ethical leadership as they entered the workforce.
The ceremony concluded with a message, “GBUC graduates are leaving not only with degrees but with a mandate to innovate, serve, and address the nation’s challenges.”