By Nicholas Osei‑Wusu
Government says it is determined to build a sustainable research base for the nation’s universities and colleges.
To that end, it has begun implementing the National Research Fund Act, 2016, by establishing the National Research Fund with seed money of GHS 50,000, and has set up both a secretariat and a governing board to administer the scheme.
Vice‑President Prof. Jane Naana Opoku‑Agyemang announced this in Kumasi at a special congregation of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).
Prof. Opoku‑Agyemang also revealed that on 4 July 2025 government will launch a policy to absorb the fees of all first‑year students at public tertiary institutions.
“Statistics from the Students’ Loan Trust Fund, which manages the portal, show that by mid‑June nearly 130,000 students had registered and more than 100,000 had completed their applications,” she said.
While assuring universities of full academic freedom, the Vice‑President cautioned that government would still enforce compliance with the institutions’ statutes and relevant national laws.
She praised KNUST for staying true to its mandate and contributing to the country’s technological and research advancement.
Record graduations and special guests
The ceremony crowned a three‑day congregation that saw 8,161 students graduate—4,965 postgraduates and 3,196 undergraduates. Among them were 118 PhD candidates, including 23 women and Dr Andy Okrah, Chief Executive of the Tree Crops Development Authority.
King Mswati III of Eswatini attended as special guest. KNUST Vice‑Chancellor Prof. Rita Dickson noted that the university hosts 18 students from Eswatini, five of whom are on Mastercard Foundation scholarships. She also announced that KNUST has produced West Africa’s first hard‑of‑hearing full professor, Prof. Wisdom Kwadwo Mprah, and has secured major international grants, including one for hypertension research in Africa.
King Mswati III thanked Ghana for educating citizens of Eswatini and urged his compatriots to respect local customs while learning Ghanaian culture.
Appeal from the Chancellor
Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, acting in his role as KNUST Chancellor, appealed to government to complete the KNUST Teaching Hospital, under construction for 18 years, to ease pressure on Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital. He also called for better incentives to retain university lecturers and curb the brain drain.
Addressing the graduates, he said:
“Today marks the culmination of your hard work and transformation. Long nights, tough assignments, and unexpected challenges did not defeat you; you persevered, and the world is ready for you. Use your knowledge to advance society.”
