The Kumasi Technical University is appealing to the government to give clearance to enable it recruit new staff.

Speaking at the 17^th Congregation of the University, Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Osei-Wusu Achaw said inadequate staff is hampering effective teaching and learning.

“First among the challenges we face is lack of clearance to recruit sufficient staff to run the University. In the last three years alone, the staff strength of the University has declined from 730 to just about 600.

“In the same period, our student numbers have climbed from about 9,000 to over 12,000.

“As a result of the depleted staff strength, the student to staff ratio of the University now stands at an average of 1: 40 against Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC)norms that require that the ratio should be 1:18,” he said.

He again bemoaned that legal requirements for private investments in the University is delaying the implementation of many projects

“The current legal regime that serves as the vehicle to bring private investments into the University is tedious and long-winding to prosecute and does not encourage private capital to easily come into public educational institutions,” he said.

Following re-zoning of the Ridge-Danyame enclave, the lands currently occupied by the University now falls into the portion ceded to his Majesty, Asantehene Otumfuor Osei-Tutu.

Prof. Achaw therefore appealed to the Asantehene to consider granting ownership of the land to the University.

The Deputy Minister of Education in charge of TVET, Gifty Twum Ampofo assured the University that plans are underway to ensure the University gets clearance to recruit staff, and improve on the infrastructure. 

“The government is working very hard with GTEC to ensure some clearance are given to enable the university improve upon the teacher student ratio.

“In the areas of infrastructure, the GeTFUND is working with GTEC to ensure that we expand our technical universities,” she pointed out.

In all, 2,793 students graduated with MTech, BTec, HND, Professional, ordinary and CTVET diplomas.