The Government of Ghana is exploring the possibility of establishing new polytechnic institutions across all sixteen regions to meet the increasing demand for technical and vocational education.
This initiative was revealed by the Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, during a meeting with the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) in Accra.
According to the Minister, the proposed polytechnics aim to bridge the gap between secondary and university education while equipping students with skills aligned with industry needs.
“There is a need to introduce another tier in our education system — by establishing a polytechnic in each region — to serve as a link between senior high schools and universities,” he stated.
Addressing concerns about employability, he added, “The gap we’re trying to address is the connection between education and industry.”
Minister Iddrisu explained that this proposal has become crucial, especially as existing polytechnics have all been converted into technical universities.
He further urged GTEC to develop a strategic framework or blueprint for the President, detailing a feasible approach to establishing regional polytechnics.
The goal, he emphasized, is to broaden access to higher education with a strong emphasis on practical skills and employment readiness.
The minister also highlighted the need for greater transparency in how universities manage their Internally Generated Funds (IGF), calling for improved financial oversight to enhance access and infrastructure development.