The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has pledged to tackle graduate unemployment amongst trained teachers of University of education Winneba (UEW), by integrating them into the Ghana Education Service (GES).
During a courtesy visit by a UEW delegation led by Vice-Chancellor Prof. Stephen Jobson Mitchual, the minister acknowledged that despite their rigorous training, UEW graduates have not been fully tapped for teacher recruitment, a situation that has left many facing significant employment challenges.
Addressing the pressing unemployment concerns, the Minister assured the delegation that immediate measures would be taken to absorb UEW-trained teachers into the education system, a step expected to alleviate the joblessness affecting the graduates. While the UEW delegation also cited other issues such as difficulties with Governing Council appointments, land encroachment, legal disputes, and staffing shortages, the focus remained on creating sustainable employment opportunities for its alumni.
In addition to resolving the employment gap, the minister announced that the National Research Fund would be introduced later in the year to support academic research across various fields, urging UEW to seize this opportunity. He also addressed concerns regarding the challenges in replacing retiring or departing staff due to government clearance requirements, noting that he has already raised the issue with the Minister of Finance. Moreover, he pledged to take necessary action against land encroachment to safeguard the university’s assets.
Expressing his commitment to collaboration, the Minister said he was determined to work with UEW to enhance higher education in Ghana by expanding access, improving governance, and ensuring financial sustainability. “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 affirmed.
