Deputy Minister of Education Lauds UEW for Role in Developing Educational Policies

The Deputy Minister of Education, Hon. John Ntim Fordjour, has lauded the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), for playing significant roles in the area of developing educational policy frameworks and training teachers in Ghana.

He emphasised the Government's willingness to assist UEW and other higher education institutions in carrying out their mandates by improving facilities to accommodate the large number of applicants who would be knocking on their doors for admission.

Hon. John Ntim Fordjour (left), with a deafblind student, Ms. Sylvia Abena Peprah who graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Special Education

The Deputy Minister of Education made this revelation in a speech he delivered on behalf of the President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufu-Addo, on Friday, 17th December, 2021, at the first session of the 26th Congregation of UEW at the Jophus Anamuah-Mensah Conference Centre, North Campus, Winneba.

“On this note Nana Chairman, I want to commend the immediate past Council and the Management of the University for their foresightedness and thoughtfulness to channel much of your resources into infrastructural development. We were all witnesses to the number of physical infrastructural projects which were commissioned early this year, most of which were student-centred. All these were done to support the Government’s efforts to provide quality education to the Ghanaian child. More grease to your elbow!” he stressed.

Ag. Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Andy Ofori-Birikorang (sixth from right), management and some dignitaries in a pose with the Deputy Minister

Hon. Ntim Fordjour urged the current Council and Management to sustain and enhance that trajectory of development and take urgent steps to resolve all outstanding matters so that together and in unity the collective objective of positioning UEW as a globally competitive institution of higher learning could be achieved.  

“Nana Chair, it is heartwarming to note that the University of Education, Winneba continues to be a shining light in promoting inclusive education. This is evident in a good number of persons with special needs graduating today, having excelled in their discipline from this noble institution.

“Indeed, in pursuit of sustainable development goals, particularly goal four, no one should be left behind nor left out on the opportunity for inclusive equitable and quality education. We will continue to create lifelong learning opportunities for all through the Government inclusive education policy.  

“Cost will not be a barrier to education. Disability must not become a barrier either. The free SHS policy, no guarantor policy of Students Loan Trust Fund and inclusive education policy currently under implementation by this Government are testament to our commitment to remove all these barriers beyond the rhetorics,” the Deputy Minister of Education averred.

Hon. Ntim Fordjour admonished all graduands to strive for integrity, sincerity, hard work, commitment, determination and dedication - ideals that would make them successful in life and also make UEW and Ghana proud. “It is my wish that this milestone will propel you to greater heights in the beautiful future ahead of you, in spite of its possible uncertainties.”