Government should extend research funding to graduate students in private universities… PUG Chancellor.
The Chancellor of Presbyterian University, Ghana (PUG), who is also the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Rt. Rev. Dr. Abraham Nana Opare Kwakye, has made a passionate appeal to the government to extend research funding to graduate students in private universities as part of efforts to strengthen Ghana’s knowledge economy.
Speaking at the 7th Congregation Ceremony of the School of Graduate Studies of the Presbyterian University, Ghana, held at the Ramseyer Training Center in Kwahu Abetifi, Rt. Rev. Dr. Opare Kwakye emphasized the urgent need for equitable and adequate investment in academic research across all higher learning institutions.
“While public universities receive limited research funding, graduate students in private universities are entirely left out of such support mechanisms.”
“If Ghana truly aspires to build a resilient and knowledge-driven economy, then it is imperative that we provide the necessary funding for all graduate research, irrespective of the institutional affiliation,” he noted.
He specifically called on the government to leverage the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) to make research funding accessible to private tertiary institutions. According to him, this approach would not only foster innovation but also unlock impactful solutions to national challenges.
Rt. Rev. Dr. Opare Kwakye also took the opportunity to address a pressing national issue—illegal mining, locally known as “galamsey”.
He admonished the government to intensify its fight against the menace by adopting more stringent and focused measures, warning that the environmental degradation caused by galamsey poses long-term threats to public health and sustainable development.
Adding to the call for national service and innovation, Vice Chancellor of PUG, Prof. John Ofosu-Anim, encouraged graduates—particularly those from the Faculty of Environmental Health and Sanitation—to utilize their expertise to combat Ghana’s growing environmental concerns.
He challenged them to be solution-driven and actively contribute to safeguarding the environment through research, education, and community engagement.
The ceremony celebrated the academic achievements of students who had successfully completed their master’s degree programs, marking another milestone in PUG’s contribution to higher education and national development.
