CSU Delegation Engages Mahama on Education Policy
The Christian Service University (CSU) in Kumasi has called on government to extend its flagship Stress-free Fee Programme to cover students in private universities across the country.
A delegation from CSU, led by Vice-Chancellor Prof. Sam Afrane, made the appeal when they paid a courtesy call on President John Dramani Mahama at the Flagstaff House in Accra.
Prof. Afrane explained that while the programme had eased the financial burden of many students in public universities, thousands of students in private institutions continued to struggle with tuition and other costs. “Equity demands that such relief packages benefit every Ghanaian student, not just those in public schools,” he stressed.
The Vice-Chancellor also urged government to consider providing scholarships for lecturers in private tertiary institutions to pursue Doctoral degrees. According to him, this would strengthen faculty capacity and improve the quality of teaching and research in private universities.
President Mahama, who received the delegation, expressed appreciation to CSU for their support and prayers. He acknowledged the role of private universities in widening access to higher education and pledged that government would examine their concerns carefully.
To this end, the President directed the Deputy Minister of Education, Dr. Clement Apaak, who was present at the meeting, to follow up on the matters raised.
The CSU delegation included Pro-Vice Chancellor, Dr. Stephen Banahene; Registrar, Mr. Andrews K. Doku; Dean of the Faculty of Health and Applied Sciences, Dr. Cynthia Akuoko; and the University Chaplain, Rev. Anthony Boateng Agyenim. The team concluded their visit with prayers for the President, his government, and the nation’s prosperity.
The appeal by CSU echoes the concerns of many private universities in Ghana who argue that, despite their enormous contributions to human capital development, they often receive little state support. With private universities admitting thousands of students each year, stakeholders say a review of government policy towards them is long overdue.
