Takoradi, (Central Region) 8 Oct.,

The government has provided extra 16 billion cedis this year for the completion of on-going projects, such as libraries, lecture halls and laboratories in tertiary institutions. Dr Ibn Chambas, deputy minister of Education, said this today when he opened the 20th annual congress of the Ghana National Union of Polytechnic Students ( GNUPS ) at Takoradi Polytechnic. The four-day congress has as its theme: "The Academic Empowerment of Women Towards Successful Implementation of the Tertiary Reform Programmes". Dr Chambas said the government is currently negotiating for the phase two of the Tertiary Education Project (TEP 11), which will go a long way in solving the major problemsof tertiary institutions, particularly polytechnics. He said access to tertiary education increased from 11,856 in the 1991/92 academic year to 21,484 in the 1996/97 academic year for universities, while that for polytechnics rose from 10,953 to 13,497 for the period. He said the government would ensure that key facilities are put in place to ensure that quality graduates are produced. Dr Chambas said it is the government's desire to establish polytechnics in all regional capitals, adding that two more are to be opened in the Upper East and West regions. He said the curricula of educational institutions have been structured to keep the country abreast with scientific and technological advancement. Dr Chambas said in line with the desire to give opportunities to women, the government has put in place mechanisms to ensure that more girls acquire tertiary education. The national president of GNUPS, Mr Seth Acheampong, noted that education is an important tool for economic and social development and expressed regret that polytechnics are currently under funded. This is bound to affect development, he said, and called for their re-capitalisation to meet the ever-increasing demand for higher education. Mr Acheampong also called for an improvement in the condition of service of lecturers. Dr Adu Taylor, principal of Takoradi Polytechnic, chaired the opening ceremony.