Acting President of Garden City University (GCU), Dr Kweku Owusu Kwarteng, has called on the government to extend the ‘No Stress Fee’ policy to private universities, stressing their crucial role in building Ghana’s educated workforce and supporting national development.

Speaking to Joy News at the University’s 25th graduation ceremony, Dr Kwarteng said private educational institutions are not seeking full government subsidies but need technical support and policy recognition.

“We are not asking for handouts,” he said. “We need help to retain qualified lecturers and make education more accessible.”

“Our students’ families are taxpayers investing in the nation’s future. It is time private universities are recognised alongside public institutions,” he stated.

The two-day ceremony is graduating 2,494 students, marking one of the largest graduations by a private university in Ghana.

Over the past 25 years, GCU has produced nearly 12,000 skilled professionals, contributing significantly to the country’s human capital.

“Private universities are vital partners in national development,” Dr. Kwarteng emphasized. “Our graduates, our staff, and our innovations serve Ghana. Policies like the ‘No Stress Fee’ must be extended to reflect this contribution.”

The Chairman of the University Council, Professor Ellis Owusu‑Dabo, lauded GCU’s 25-year journey of excellence, highlighting the expansion of academic programs and the university’s contributions to national development.

He called on the government to provide research funding, infrastructure support, and favorable policies for private universities.

Professor Christian Agyare, speaking on behalf of the KNUST’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Rita Akosua Dickson, commended GCU for its innovative programs and commitment to producing problem-solvers and innovators aligned with Ghana’s development goals.

Guest speaker, Daniel McCauley, urged graduates to focus on character, integrity, and creativity.

“Don’t just look for jobs, look for problems to solve,” he said, noting that degrees are a foundation for real impact.

The best graduating student, Linda Belinda Kusive, credited her success to discipline and peer support. She encouraged fellow students by saying “if I have done it, you can also do it.”

The Garden City University offers top-up programs, enabling nurses, midwives, and other professionals to upgrade from diplomas to first degrees, master’s, and doctoral programs, producing highly skilled professionals who contribute to Ghana’s economy and tax base.