Ghanian President, Mahama, Bemoans Poor Ranking Of African Varsities

Apr 02, 2013 Samuel Africa News, Cover Story 0

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For Universities in the African continent to be ranked, among the best in the world, their autonomy must be ensured, Ghanaian must be ensured, Ghanaian President, Dr. John Dramani Mahama, has said

Mahama, who spoke at the Ekiti state University, Ado-Ekiti, South West Nigeria while delivering a lecture titled: “University Governance and Reclaiming the lost Glories: The Challenges and Possibilities of World Class Universities in Africa” in commemoration of the university’s second annual lectures, noted that African universities would continue to witness abysmal ranking among their counterparts across the globe, except they enjoy full autonomy.

Maham, who decried the poor ranking of Africa universities, pointed out that the continent would have long achieved a breakthrough in producing world class universities before 1960s, but owing to exodus of African intellectuals to universities in Europe and America for greener pastures. The Ghanaian president also advocated for peer review journals to engender harmonious working relationship among Africa universities, adding that bipartite relationships should both be allowed to create unhealthy rivalry among African universities.

Represented by the Ghana’s Minister of Education and former Vice Chancellor of the University of Legion, Prof. Naana Opoku, Mahama, said financial and administrative autonomy to Africa universities are as potent catalyst that could bring about the needed innovation and creativity in the continent’s ivory towers.

The Ghanaian president charged governments at all levels in the continent to fund research in universities and ensure that such research is utilized for development of economic policies to drive African economy to an enviable position. The Governor of Ekiti state, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, pledged speedy completion of the proposed Institution of Governance in Ekiti State University to train present and future leaders in the art of governance. Meanwhile Ghanaian President Dr. John Mahama has described Akwa Ibom Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio, as a good example of leadership in Africa.

Mahama, who was accompanied by Ghanaian Ambassador to Nigeria, and Ambassador Baba Kamara, and information Minister, Felix Kwakeye, among others, paid the Governor a courtesy visit in Uyo during his one day official visit to the state.

“It takes leadership to bring about transformation,” he said.

Dramani added, “Today, my visit to the state and what I have seen on the ground through the numerous infrastructures indicate a testimony of what true leadership can do to transform the lives of the people in Africa. I am impressed by what I have seen today in the site.

 

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