Kumasi, Nov. 22, GNA - Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, Vice Chancellor, University of Cape Coast, has said Ghana should put urgency i= nto the search for alternative arrangements to expand higher education as pub= lic resources dwindle. "It is important for all of us to ensure that all qualified stude= nts have access to higher education regardless of their socio-economic situat= ion or any other classification."

This, she said, is reinforced by the realities of globalization and the critical importance of knowledge. Professor Naana Opoku-Agyemang was addressing the third joint matriculation and graduation ceremony of the Ghana Baptist University College (GBUC) at Amakom in Kumasi. "Education as a Tool for National Development: The Role of Private=

Tertiary Institutions", was the theme. She raised concern about the yawning enrolment gap in tertiary education between African countries and the developed world and said this=

must be tackled. Thirty Eight (38) graduates, seven of whom, had first class honour= , received degrees and diploma certificates at the end of three-year study programmes in accounting, banking and finance, Information Communication Technology (ICT) and Theology.

At the same occasion, 248 new students were admitted to pursue various courses.

Professor Nana Opoku-Agyemang praised private participation in the=

provision of university education, which was helping to ease pressure on the state. She, however, advised against their over-reliance on part-time lecturers. For them to positively contribute their quota to national developmen= t, she said, they need to sacrifice and employ adequate members of fulltime staff and depend less on part-time staff.

Mr. Kofi Opoku-Manu, the Ashanti Regional Minister, urged private universities to link up with the existing state universities and other bodies to design academic programmes and activities relevant to the natio= nal development agenda. The Government would continue to encourage churches and other privat= e institutions to join in the efforts at helping the nation to come by the requisite manpower mix to drive the nation's growth. He said "as a religious institution, it goes without saying that products from this university must be imbued with a sense of patriotism a= nd discipleship, to enable them to resist corrupt practices, when they leave=

this institution to join the job market." Mr. Opoku-Manu expressed worry about the soaring moral decadence in the country, underpinned by selfishness and greed and said his "expectation w= as that graduates from the institution would make a big difference to help s= tem the trend." Professor Edwin Kwame Wiredu, Chairman of the Governing Council, announced that they have secured a GH¢300,000.00 loan to improve the infrastructure at the Campus. Additionally, they are working to team up with the Baylor University= of the United States in faculty development, scholarships and student exchan= ge programmes. The Reverend Dr. Kojo Osei-Wusuh, the acting President, urged the Council to hasten its move towards promoting meaningful partnerships with=

businesses to grow the University. 22 Nov.09