Govt to take over Ghana Technology University College
The government has initiated steps for the smooth takeover of the Ghana Technology (Telecom) University College (GTUC) from Vodafone Ghana Limited.
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The process forms part of the transfer of assets under the GoG/Vodafone/Ghana Telecom Re-Engagement Agreement signed in 2012.
As part of the process, the Ministry of Education has been tasked to engage with the management of Vodafone Ghana Limited and GTUC to ensure that appropriate arrangements are put in place for the university college to be managed as one of the public tertiary institutions in the country.
The Deputy Minister in charge of Tertiary Education, Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, told the Daily Graphic that the ministry had accordingly constituted a working committee to concretise and finalise the transfer.
Working committee
The committee, which is being chaired by Mr Ablakwa, is made up of representatives from the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Education, the Attorney-General’s Department, the National Council for Tertiary Education, the National Accreditation Board, the Ghana Technology University College and Vodafone Ghana Limited.
Mr Ablakwa said the committee had held two initial meetings and had developed a road map with timelines to guide the efficient and effective performance of its mandate.
“Deliberations have been fruitful and cordial so far and remarkable progress has been made.
“A draft bill to give effect to the transfer process has been prepared and is being considered by the Attorney-General’s Department.
“It is envisaged that the takeover will be completed for the commencement of the 2016/2017 academic year in September,” Mr Ablakwa said.
Expectation as public tertiary institution
He said it was the view of the government that the transformation of the GTUC as a public tertiary institution would further transform the institution into a world-class centre of excellence.
“It is also expected that fees for its programmes would become more affordable and regulated consistent with policies guiding Ghanaian public tertiary institutions,” he added.
Background
The GTUC is a private university college established in 2006 to provide broad and practical training in technology-oriented education to meet the needs of the country and the sub-region.
The college has its roots in the Ghana Telecom’s flagship training centre, which was first used as a Royal Air Force Training School during the Second World War and subsequently handed to Cable and Wireless to train telecommunications technicians for British West African countries (i.e. Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and The Gambia).
The training centre progressed rapidly to become the main source of teaching and certification in Telecommunications Engineering for the Post and Telecommunications Corporation (later Ghana Telecom) employers, as well as other institutions in Ghana and West Africa.