It’ll be a great honour to be described in years to come as ‘education president’ — Akufo-Addo

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has expressed his desire to be remembered in history as Ghana's "Education President".

Speaking at Valley View University where he received an honorary doctorate degree on Sunday, July 14, the President outlined ambitious plans to expand access to education.

“Nothing would give me more honor or more pleasure than if, one day, Ghana’s historians were to describe me as the Education President,” President Akufo-Addo declared.

As part of efforts to realize this goal, his government will establish four new public universities in Mampong, Akrodie, Bunso and Kintampo.

This he said would help accommodate a rising tertiary enrollment, which has surged from 443,978 students in 2016 to over 711,695 currently.

"We have launched several interventions aimed at improving the quality of education and ensuring that every child receives a holistic and well-rounded education," the President said.

Akufo-Addo noted the new schools are important to attain the target of 40% Gross Tertiary Enrollment Ratio by 2030, up from the current 18.84%.

His administration has also increased research and book allowances for universities to over GH¢700 million since 2020.

This aims to boost standards through improved scholarly work and innovation.

“The educational reforms carried out by the Akufo-Addo Government have also encompassed tertiary education, materially advancing access, infrastructure development, and STEM initiatives across the country,” the President stressed.