In the 2023/2024 academic year, more than 70,000 students in Ghana received financial support through the Student Loan Trust Fund, with loans exceeding GH₵250 million.
Additionally, over 30,000 students were awarded scholarships by the Ghana Scholarship Secretariat.
This initiative aims to help students overcome economic barriers in their pursuit of higher education.
Massive investment in public university infrastructure
Speaking at the 50th Anniversary celebration of Christian Service University (CSU) in Kumasi, Minister for Education Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum highlighted that the government has invested over GH₵1 billion in infrastructure development across public universities.
This allocation has been used for constructing new lecture halls, laboratories, and dormitories to improve educational facilities in the country.
Celebrating CSU’s achievements and innovations
The celebration, under the theme “CSU @50, Achievements, Challenges, and Prospects,” marked CSU’s transition from a Bible College in 1974 to a fully-fledged university.
Dr. Adutwum expressed excitement about the university’s innovative programmes, such as the flagship Master of Arts in Event Management.
He emphasized the need for universities to evolve and offer modern programmes that equip students with relevant skills for today’s rapidly changing global environment.
Challenges facing private universities
Dr. Adutwum also acknowledged the challenges that private tertiary institutions like CSU face, including limited financial resources, the need for continuous infrastructural development, and competition in the globalized education sector.
Despite these hurdles, he commended CSU for its resilience and adaptability, qualities that have driven the university’s growth.
Prof. Mike Oquaye, the former Speaker of Parliament, praised CSU for its Christian foundation and its impact on human development.
He recognized the important role the Church has played in Ghana’s education sector, from basic to tertiary levels.
Prof. Oquaye emphasized that education is central to Christianity and that CSU’s focus on Christian values equips students for both the job market and personal development.
Prof. Sam Afrane, Vice-Chancellor of CSU, highlighted the university’s growth over the past 50 years. From its beginnings as a Bible College with fewer than 100 students, CSU has transformed into a liberal university with over 2,000 students.
In 2024, CSU also celebrated its attainment of autonomous status, following the granting of a Presidential Charter by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in May.
Prof. Afrane credited the faithfulness of God and the dedication of CSU’s visionaries for the university’s success.
Despite the challenges, including a shift from solely theological education to a broader liberal arts focus, CSU has maintained its evangelical Christian values.
The Vice-Chancellor also underscored the university’s emphasis on entrepreneurship, student mentorship, and professional development as key pillars of its unique identity.
As CSU celebrates 50 years of existence, it continues to serve as a beacon of Christ-centred education, impacting the lives of thousands of students and contributing to Ghana’s educational landscape.
