The newly-inducted President of the Ghana Baptist University College, Professor Godwin Awabil, has called on the government to support private universities with essential equipment to enhance their operations in contributing to national development.

Speaking at the university’s 5th investiture ceremony, he appealed to the Ministry of Education to extend logistical and financial support to private tertiary institutions, stressing that they play a vital role in training skilled manpower for the country.

According to Professor Godwin Awabil, private universities like the Ghana Baptist University College play a critical role in national development by training human resources and advancing capacity-building initiatives.

“Private universities are contributing significantly to national development by training skilled manpower. Government support in terms of logistics and equipment will go a long way to strengthen our operations and impact,” he said.

He further called on financial institutions, corporate bodies, government agencies and private sector employers to offer employment opportunities to graduates during and after their internship periods.

Professor Awabil also encouraged Baptist churches nationwide to establish businesses that can serve as practical training grounds for students after completing their programmes.

He believes this will enable them to become self-reliant entrepreneurs rather than depending solely on family support.

“Government alone cannot shoulder the responsibility of job creation. Through entrepreneurship training, our graduates can create their own businesses if they receive the necessary support, including access to startup loans.”

He noted that the Baptist University has trained many students in entrepreneurship and appealed to the government to facilitate access to loans to help graduates establish their own businesses.

Outlining his vision for the next four years as President of the Ghana Baptist University College, Professor Awabil pledged to increase student enrolment, expand access through campus recruitment, and introduce new academic programmes tailored to both national and international demands.