UDS Alumni unhappy with Dr. Adutwum over 'development studies as a useless programme' comment

The University for Development Studies (UDS) Alumni Association has expressed disappointment and concern over comments attributed to former Education Minister, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, describing Development Studies as “a useless programme and a degree that takes students nowhere.”

The association said the remarks were unsupported by evidence and could have serious implications for the reputation of UDS, the value of qualifications held by thousands of its alumni, the morale of current students and the perception of graduates by potential employers.

In a statement signed by the National President of the UDS Alumni Association, Paul Akanvariwen Asianab, and copied to some media houses, the association said while it welcomed discussions on graduate employability and the need to align university education with labour market demands, it strongly rejected what it described as a “sweeping, unfortunate, misguided and misleading” characterisation of Development Studies.

The association argued that the comments were particularly concerning because they came from a former Education Minister whose views carry significant public influence.

UDS performance
Mr Asianab said the remarks were inconsistent with UDS’s achievements and academic standing, noting that the university has continued to demonstrate excellence in various fields.

He cited the institution’s performance in the Times Higher Education 2026 rankings, where UDS was recognised as the best university in Ghana for quality teaching, ranked second in Ghana for international outlook and placed fourth overall among universities in the country.

He stressed that public discussions on higher education should be guided by evidence and should seek to promote improvement rather than undermine institutions, academic programmes and students through broad generalisations.

“Development Studies is not an academic luxury. It is an interdisciplinary field that equips students with knowledge and practical skills in economics, governance, public policy, sociology, agriculture, environmental management, gender studies, project planning, monitoring and evaluation, conflict resolution, community development, and sustainable development, among others,” he said.

According to him, these skills are essential in addressing Ghana’s development challenges, including poverty reduction, unemployment, decentralisation, climate change, food security, rural transformation, social protection and inclusive economic growth.

He questioned how anyone familiar with Ghana’s development needs could conclude that Development Studies was irrelevant, arguing that the discipline remains critical to the country’s socio-economic transformation.

Contribution of graduates
The Alumni Association said graduates of Development Studies continue to make significant contributions in Ghana and internationally.

It noted that alumni of the programme work across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), development organisations, international institutions, civil society organisations, research bodies, policy think tanks and private consulting firms.

According to the association, their contributions include shaping public policy, implementing community development projects and supporting sustainable development initiatives.

Mr Asianab also highlighted UDS’s unique developmental approach, particularly its internationally recognised Third Trimester Field Practical Programme (TTFPP), which requires students to spend extended periods working directly with communities to apply classroom knowledge in solving real-life challenges.

He said the practical training model distinguishes UDS from many other universities and reinforces the relevance of Development Studies as a discipline.

Call for constructive reforms
The association acknowledged that graduate employability remains a critical national issue and agreed that university programmes must undergo regular reviews to ensure they provide students with relevant digital, analytical, entrepreneurial and leadership skills.

However, it argued that improving academic programmes should not involve dismissing an entire discipline as worthless.

“If improvements are needed, let us improve programmes. Let us strengthen industry partnerships. Let us modernise curricula. Let us create more opportunities for graduates, but let us not destroy the confidence of students and alumni through careless and unsubstantiated statements,” the statement said.

The association maintained that Ghana’s challenge is not the relevance of Development Studies but ensuring that academic programmes remain innovative, adaptable and responsive to changing economic needs while preserving their contribution to national development.

It reaffirmed its commitment to defending the integrity of UDS, celebrating the achievements of its graduates and supporting efforts aimed at strengthening higher education in Ghana.