Akufo-Addo Confers Presidential Charters on 14 Private Universities, Empowering Them to Award Their Own Degrees and Diplomas

   President Nana Akufo-Addo has granted presidential charters to 14 private universities in Ghana, officially empowering these institutions to independently award their own degrees and diplomas. This momentous event took place on Thursday at the Jubilee House, marking a significant step in the country’s tertiary education sector.

During his address at the ceremony, President Akufo-Addo emphasized the importance of the charters, noting that they represent the universities’ full transition into autonomous institutions. He further highlighted that this development signifies the government’s commitment to fostering academic excellence, innovation, and advancing nation-building efforts.

The institutions that received the charters include:

1. National Defence College
2. KAAF University College
3. Heritage Christian University College
4. Ensign Global College
5. University College of Gold Coast
6. Knutsford University College
7. Thrivus Institute for Biomedical Sciences and Technology
8. Nobel International Business School
9. Entrance University College of Health Sciences
10. Accra Metropolitan University College
11. African University College of Communications
12. Garden City University College
13. Family Health University College
14. Academic City University College

President Akufo-Addo described the granting of these charters as a “transformative milestone” for Ghana’s tertiary education system. He praised the universities for their perseverance and dedication, noting that their achievement of this status reflects their hard work and commitment to maintaining the highest standards of education. The President pointed out that the award of a Presidential Charter is the highest form of recognition a tertiary institution in Ghana can receive.

In his speech, the President also elaborated on the rigorous process institutions must undergo to receive a presidential charter. He explained that the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) establishes strict criteria for these institutions, ensuring that they meet standards in areas such as governance, academic quality, research, community engagement, and overall institutional performance. Meeting these criteria is no small feat, and the President commended the awarded universities for their dedication to excellence in these areas.

This achievement is particularly significant for the awarded institutions as it gives them the legal ability to confer degrees and diplomas without the need for external validation, allowing them to operate with increased autonomy. It also reflects the universities’ capacity to meet the nation’s higher education needs while contributing to the overall development of the country.

The recognition of these 14 private universities highlights the crucial role they play in the advancement of tertiary education in Ghana. The institutions now have the authority to offer an even broader range of academic programs that are directly relevant to the country’s workforce and the demands of a rapidly evolving global economy. This new level of autonomy will also provide them with greater flexibility in shaping curricula, conducting research, and collaborating with other institutions both locally and internationally.

The President also took the opportunity to reinforce his administration’s focus on education as a key driver of Ghana’s socio-economic growth. He reiterated that the government is committed to ensuring that quality education remains a top priority, with a focus on improving both access to education and the overall standard of learning across the country. According to the President, education plays a critical role in shaping the future of the nation, and by empowering these institutions with charters, the government is enhancing the capacity of the higher education sector to meet the challenges of the modern world.

As Ghana continues to develop its tertiary education system, the granting of charters to these private universities signifies an important step forward in building a stronger, more self-reliant education framework. This move is expected to inspire other institutions to continue striving for excellence while also providing more opportunities for students to gain high-quality education that meets global standards. The recognition of these universities as fully autonomous institutions is a testament to Ghana’s commitment to educational advancement, fostering skilled professionals who will contribute to the country’s progress in the years to come.