Extend GETFund to private universities (page Nov 27)

THE former Pro Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana,Legon, Professor Florence Abena Dolphyne has called on the government to consider amending the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) Law to extend the facility to the private universitites.
She explained that the nation benefited considerably from the quality human resource produced by the private universities and it was only proper for the government to ensure that those tertiary institutions became beneficiaries of the GETFund.
Prof. Dolphyne made the call at the launch of the 10th anniversary celebration of the Methodist University College Ghana (MUCG) in Accra.
She noted that private universities such as the Methodist University were playing a crucial role in the human resource development of the country and, therefore, needed to be encouraged and supported to deliver on their mandate.
The GETFund which was enacted on August 25, 2000, became operational in the middle of 2001.
Section 2 Clause 2 (a) of the Act: "To provide financial support to the agencies and institutions under the Ministry of Education, through the Ministry, for the development and maintenance of essential academic facilities and infrastructure in public educational institutions, particularly in tertiary institutions."
Prof. Dolphyne advised the universities to assist the young lecturers to further their education and increase their research output.
She appealed to corporate bodies to support private universities financially and materially since they also benefited from the products of those institutions.
The Principal of the university, the Very Rev. Prof. S. K. Adjepong said the university started its journey nine years ago in one building on a shared campus but could now boast of three campuses, four faculties and 13 departments, a big library stocked with 24,500 books and 126 serial titles among others.
He said the university would continue to maintain very high standards of teaching and mentoring and remain committed to the provision of high quality education as it made efforts towards the realisation of its vision to become a university of distinction.
Launching the anniversary celebration, the former Presiding Bishop and Chairman of the MUCG, the Most Rev. Samuel Asante Antwi said the toils and sweats of those who contributed to the success story of the university would not be washed away or forgotten.
He advised the staff and the students to hold high the flag of the university, keep the vision alive as well as cultivate and sustain the virtues of commitment and sacrifice.