Aburi: Mr Haruna Iddrisu, the Minister of Education, has announced that the Ministry is collaborating with the Ministry of Finance to secure financial clearance for recruitment in the education sector. The initiative aims to fill 93,000 vacancies across institutions of higher learning, the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission, the Ghana Education Service, and the TVET service.

According to Ghana News Agency, the announcement was made by the Minister at the 22nd Biennial Congress of the University Teachers Association of Ghana, held in Aburi in the Eastern Region. The event was themed ‘Rethinking Higher Education Pedagogy and Funding in the Age of AI: Ethics, Equity and Development Impact’. During his speech, the Minister highlighted the government’s commitment of GHC 610 million to fulfill the book and research allowance for university teachers, assuring them that the necessary warrant has been issued and the funds will be disbursed soon.

The Minister acknowledged the Association’s efforts in recognizing and adapting to the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in higher education. He emphasized that AI is now a present reality and will significantly impact teaching and learning practices. He warned that AI, if not properly managed, could lead to unethical behavior among students, and stressed the need for ethical integrity in AI-driven pedagogical changes.

Additionally, Professor Mamudu A. Akudugu, the outgoing National President of UTAG, noted the Association’s achievements in securing better conditions of service for academic staff and defending university autonomy. He also highlighted UTAG’s social responsibility initiatives, including providing over GHC 706,000 in scholarships to support 164 flood-affected students, and the establishment of a working committee to develop a UTAG Guest House in Accra for sustainable welfare and revenue generation.