Prepare for increased Student Admission – Akufo-Addo

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Wednesday called on tertiary institutions to prepare for increased student admission, resulting from the implementation of the Free Senior High School Policy.

The dramatic increase in students who would be seeking admission in the next two years posed an immediate challenge, and “we cannot be caught off guard”.

He was speaking at the investiture of Mrs. Mary Chinery-Hesse, the new Chancellor of University of Ghana, Legon.

President Akufo-Addo said because the fee-free policy was going to be a permanent feature in the nation’s educational architecture, tertiary institutions ought to ” prepare for tomorrow”

 “The Free Senior High School policy will be a permanent feature of our educational architecture. We cannot be caught off guard, and, as the saying goes, ‘the best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today’.”

As the first female Chancellor of any Ghanaian University, Mrs. Chinery-Hesse blazed a trail for other women to follow, and, “moreover, I am sure the University will definitely feel the added benefit of that special quality that a woman can bring to leadership,” he said.

He noted that the university could not have picked a worthier successor and thanked the former Chancellor for his invaluable service to the nation.

“It is not every day that one picks up the mantle of leadership from such as Mr. Kofi Annan so, Madam Chancellor, I am sure that you know that you have your work cut out for you.”

President Akufo-Addo said the wealth of experience of Mrs. Chinery-Hesse, who served among others, as an advisor to the second President of Fourth Republic, President John Agyekum Kufuor, would put her in a good stead to spur the institution to greater heights.

He gave the assurance of Government’s support for the University, and all other universities in the country.

“It is my expectation and hope that Legon will continue to produce graduates, who are moulded to take on the opportunities and possibilities for higher achievement, through innovation and creativity, in today’s science and technology-led, knowledge-driven global economy, and who will, thereby, help generate prosperity for the mass of our people in our time,” he added.

About Mrs. Mary Chinery-Hesse

She is a Friend of the African Union Panel of the Wise and a member of Council of UG from 2006 to 2009, a Commissioner of the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission from 2003 to 2006 and Vice-Chairperson of the National Development Planning Commission from 2001 to 2009.

Mrs Chinery-Hesse was a Member of the National Council for Higher Education from 1974 to 1980, the First African Female Resident Coordinator of United Nations (UN) System from 1981 to 1989 and the First Female Deputy Director-General of the International Labour Organisation.