Grant private tertiary institutions tax exemptions to boost education
President of Ghana Technology University College (GTUC), Professor Osei K. Darkwa, has appealed to the government to grant tax exemptions on the importation of science and technology equipment by private tertiary institutions to enable them to contribute their quota meaningfully to the development of science and technology in the country.
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He said private universities could leverage on Information and Communications Technology (ICT) to enhance the skills of students before they came out, but that could only happen if the government was able to provide the needed assistance to the private sector.
Prof. Darkwa made the call at the 8th graduation ceremony of the Pentecost University College (PUC) in Accra last Saturday.
“While it is important for the government to put in place the necessary policies and infrastructure for economic growth, universities, especially the private ones could leverage on ICT in a bid to make their products employable.
“If steps are not consciously taken by stakeholders of education in Ghana to solve these problems, private universities cannot function appropriately,” he said.
Strong ties
Prof. Darkwa indicated that the time had come for institutions of higher learning to build strong ties with industry to expose students to the job market before their completion.
“There is the need for strong partnership between industry and the universities for cooperative education through work integrated learning not only to eliminate the skills gap but also to produce customised products for the industry,” he emphasised.
He further complained about the lack of the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETfund) support to private institutions “to enhance infrastructure, laboratory equipment and vehicles to facilitate teaching and learning.”
Graduation statistics
In all, 285 students graduated in programmes such as Taxation and Microfinance, Theology, Business Administration and Information and Communications Technology (ICT).
Speaking on the theme; “Economic growth and job creation: the role of private universities,” the Rector ofPUC, Dr Daniel Walker, said there was the need for the government to take the first step of providing the enabling environment for businesses to thrive.
For private universities to be able to help in job creation for economic transformation, there was the need to fashion out programmes and courses which would enable students to create their own jobs and employ their colleagues while in school, noting that entrepreneurship was critical in that regard.
