Gov’t Pledges Support for Tertiary Education, Innovation and Responsible Mining

Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening tertiary education, promoting responsible mining and empowering the youth as key pillars of Ghana’s industrial transformation.

Speaking at the 18th Special Congregation of the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT) in Tarkwa, President John Dramani Mahama underscored the strategic importance of specialised universities, describing them as the backbone of national development due to their focus on engineering, technology, and applied sciences.

The President said institutions such as UMaT occupy a central position in Ghana’s industrial future, particularly in areas of mineral resource management, value addition and innovation-driven growth.

 According to him, the country’s ability to transition from raw material export to value-added production depends largely on the strength and relevance of its tertiary institutions.

Addressing challenges within the mining sector, President Mahama called on the Minerals Commission to fast-track the issuance of licences for regulated small-scale mining.

He explained that properly managed small-scale mining operations could serve as practical training platforms for students, generate revenue for universities and offer sustainable alternatives to illegal mining activities.

He noted that responsible mining must go beyond enforcement and punitive measures, stressing the need for education, research and technology-driven solutions to protect the environment and water bodies from degradation.

President Mahama acknowledged funding constraints affecting mining research and the proposed mining museum at UMaT, attributing the situation to changes in funding arrangements that have reduced resources from the Minerals Account Investment Fund.

He assured the university community that government is actively exploring alternative funding options to complete the projects in the short term.

On staffing, the President admitted that delays in financial clearance for lecturer recruitment across public universities have posed challenges.

He said the issue has been brought to the attention of the Minister of Finance and expressed confidence that approvals would soon be granted.

 He encouraged postgraduate students aspiring to academic careers to remain hopeful and committed to their academic ambitions.

Touching on the broader education agenda, President Mahama described education as Ghana’s most enduring investment and outlined government’s tertiary education policy, anchored on access, quality and relevance.

 He highlighted interventions such as the no-guarantor student loan scheme, relief from fee-related stress for first-year students in public tertiary institutions, free tertiary education for persons with disabilities, and the Student Loan Plus programme to support continuing students.

According to him, these measures are designed to expand access, promote equity, and democratise opportunities across the tertiary education landscape.

The President stressed that expanding access alone is insufficient, noting that the real impact of tertiary education lies in the quality and relevance of its outcomes.

He said government is increasing investment in STEM education, technical and vocational training, research, innovation, and the digital transformation of teaching and learning to ensure graduates are equipped for a rapidly changing global economy.

He said Ghana’s ambitions in mineral value addition, green transition, advanced manufacturing and industrial diversification depend heavily on institutions such as UMaT, adding that universities must produce graduates who are academically sound, innovative, adaptable and ethically grounded, capable of solving real-world problems.

President Mahama also outlined plans to strengthen university industry linkages, promote the commercialisation of research, establish innovation hubs and centres of excellence, and invest in modern laboratories and research infrastructure to position Ghanaian universities as contributors to global knowledge while remaining responsive to local challenges.

He underscored the importance of youth empowerment, noting that education would only yield a demographic dividend if young people are equipped with relevant skills, entrepreneurial capacity, and a strong work ethic. He cited the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme and other youth-focused initiatives aimed at nurturing graduates as job creators rather than job seekers.

Reiterating government’s commitment to integrity, accountability and sustainability in natural resource management, the President described illegal mining as a major threat to the environment and water bodies.

 He stressed that long-term solutions must combine enforcement with education, research, and the promotion of responsible mining practices.

He said UMaT has a unique national responsibility to train professionals and develop technologies that support lawful, environmentally responsible and community-centred mining, in line with Ghana’s sustainable development goals.

President Mahama also paid tribute to the congregation’s honouree, commending his entrepreneurial journey and contribution to the mining services sector.

 He praised his resilience, innovation, and philanthropy as exemplary of the values Ghana seeks to promote through education and enterprise.

Addressing graduates and students, the President urged them to see their education as both a privilege and a responsibility, encouraging them to apply their knowledge with discipline, innovation and integrity in service to the nation.

He congratulated the graduates and honouree and commended the university council, management, faculty and staff for their dedication to academic excellence and national service, wishing the institution continued success.