An immediate past Chairman of the Governing Council of the Ghana Baptist University College has expressed worry over what he described as the exorbitant cost of internet services.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the 5th Governing Council of the University, Prof Edwin Wiredu revealed that the University has had to unsubscribe from high speed internet services used in facilitating teaching and learning and offering cost-effective programmes to students.

“The IT challenge emerging from high charges compelled the University to unsubscribe from high speed internet services.

“This has limited the ability of the University to leverage IT to deliver cost-effective programmes to link up with foreign institutions and local campuses and improve workable productivity,” he said.

Prof Wiredu added that huge affiliation costs and exorbitant taxes are squeezing private universities out of business.

According to him, the existing competition between public and private schools is affecting student enrollment. As a result, the University does not generate enough financial resources.

He indicated that the situation makes it difficult to retain competent staff.

“Financial challenges of the University are as a result of low student enrollment arising from competition with public and private universities. This is compounded by the huge affiliation fees that are to be paid to our mentoring institutions.

“In addition to this, we have to pay statutory obligations to Ghana Revenue Authority, SSNIT and others,” he said.

The inaugural ceremony saw the investiture of a 12-member new Governing Council of the University.

The new Chairman of the Governing Council, Professor Michael Tagoe, spoke of plans to build robust structures to elevate the image of the University.

“As the Council, we will work with senior management to diversify and promote demand-driven programmes to increase access and expand the University’s revenue base,” he said.