Accra, May 29, GNA - Mr Alex Tettey-Enyo, Minister of Education, on Saturday said the Ministry would encourage the establishment of more accredited private tertiary institutions in the country to increase enrolment of qualified students. He noted that the public tertiary institutions-- universities, polytechnics, post-secondary professional training colleges like colleges of education, nurses training colleges, agriculture and forestry colleges, put together could enrolled less than 50 per cent of the total qualified candidates seeking enrolment, while private tertiary institutions enrolled just about five per cent.

Mr Tettey-Enyo announced this in a speech read on his behalf at the inauguration and matriculation of the first batch of 60 students of Radford University College in Accra. They were made up of 34 women and 26 men who would be pursuing four-year courses in five degree programmes, namely Fashion Design, Graphic Design, Business Administration, Information Communication Technology (ICT) and Applied Science. He commended management of the college for the unique programmes, such as fashion design which had been left mostly in the hands of independent tailors and seamstresses and a degree course would help improve the level in Ghana.

"Given the rapid establishment of new television stations and the upliftment of standards of outdoor adverts including electronic ones, the need for high level trained manpower in graphic design cannot be over-emphasised. Besides the need for Ghana to have cartoons that would portray the cultural values in Ghana for Ghanaian children has been met," he said.

Mr Tettey-Enyo promised to collaborate with the Minister of Health for the inclusion of nursing as part of the applied science programme which was not approved by the regulatory professional body, the Nurses and Midwives Council in Ghana. He said this was based on the shortage of nurses to take care of patients and in addition, meet the demand from abroad of Ghanaian nurses which could also help Ghana to earn foreign exchange. Nana Worae Wiredu, Founder and Chairman of the College, said it was established to train students with entrepreneurial skills and prepare them to achieve their God-given talents. "Our vision is to give every student who has the capacity and willingness to learn to experience fulfilment and satisfaction through education. In addition, to provide a sound, moral, spiritual and social environment to enable the students develop their full academic and professional potential," he added. Nana Wiredu said management would continue to introduce innovative programmes to address human needs and potential in education, nursing, health and applied sciences. He announced that management had signed a partnership agreement with authorities of University of Fraser Valley in the Province of British Columbia, Canada, for the exchange of students, staff and faculty starting from next academic year 2011. 29 May 10