Leaders of the Graduate Students’ Association of Ghana at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi (GRASAG-KNUST) have appealed for stronger government support for postgraduate accommodation and research funding during a courtesy call on the Minister for Education, Mr. Haruna Iddrisu.
The meeting formed part of the association’s stakeholder engagement efforts aimed at strengthening institutional relationships and advancing postgraduate education and research in Ghana.
During the engagement, the Minister for Education disclosed that the KNUST Teaching Hospital is expected to be commissioned by December 2026, stating that funding and procurement processes for the project are in place.
He commended the leadership of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Rita Akosua Dickson, and suggested that she should be given the honour of commissioning the facility.
The Minister also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to expanding infrastructure at KNUST to support academic growth and stressed the need to maintain the quality of graduates produced by the university.
The GRASAG-KNUST delegation was led by its President, Mr. Yussif Suleman, together with members of the Executive Committee.
Suleman raised concerns over accommodation challenges facing postgraduate students and outlined efforts by the association to mobilise funds and implement interventions to ease the situation. He appealed for government support to address the issue.
He also highlighted the GRASAG Research Fund, which he said has supported between 60 and 80 postgraduate students over the years, and appealed for assistance to expand the initiative to benefit more students.
The delegation further informed the Minister about plans to organise a postgraduate research conference next semester.
Although the Minister indicated that a scheduled Cabinet meeting limited the interaction to about 10 minutes, he used the opportunity to advise the student leaders on leadership and governance.
He urged them to uphold integrity, respect the Constitution and laws, and prioritise collaboration in resolving challenges and ensuring progress.
“Focus should be on long-term impact rather than short-term or quick wins,” he told the delegation.
He also encouraged humility and maturity in leadership, cautioning young leaders against hastily judging others in positions of responsibility.
