The Principal of the Dambai College of Education, Dr. Benedicta Awusi Atiku, has underscored the importance of investing in research across teacher training institutions.

According to her, strengthening research capacity will help position Colleges of Education to become full-fledged universities and ensure they provide holistic training for educators.

She explained that this vision informed the College’s decision to organise the Annual International Research Conference, which serves as a platform to train academia in conducting and analysing research, among other objectives.

“Even though we were tertiary institutions under Act 847, our migration into the university scheme of service has given us a greater mandate to champion and undertake quality research, and to compete equally with our colleagues and practitioners in the university system.

“And if we are to do this well, then we need to put ourselves together to receive coaching, expert advice, direction, and guidance. This is how we close the gap that used to exist between Colleges of Education, research work, and publication,” she said in an interview with Myjoyonline.com on the sidelines of this year’s International Research Conference.

She added that the conference also provides coaching on the three fundamental mandates of tertiary institutions—research, quality teaching, and community service.

“The research conference allows us to have our works presented, discussed, and critiqued, and this builds our capacity. If we do this well, then we can be confident that teaching and learning in the various Colleges of Education will also be enhanced,” she noted.

Prof. Samuel Alhassan Issah of the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), led a session on research development, the impact of research on Colleges of Education, and associated factors.

He urged lecturers to develop a strong interest in research, explaining that it equips them with the tools needed to transform trainees into effective educators who can contribute to Ghana’s educational agenda.

However, he cautioned against unethical academic practices, urging participants to avoid plagiarism, forgery, and other acts that undermine research integrity and credibility.

Prof. Issah encouraged lecturers to look beyond challenges such as inadequate infrastructure and funding, and still strive to undertake research and publish in credible outlets.

“Most people in the Colleges of Education still hold on to a GES mentality. They do not recognise that they are no longer in training colleges — they are now in Colleges of Education. There must be stakeholder engagement and capacity-building workshops to help them appreciate that their status has changed and they are in a new era,” he said.

He further advised lecturers to reduce what he described as “galamsey”—the tendency to take on too many external jobs such as marking BECE and WASSCE scripts or teaching distance courses.

“Self-discipline, and prioritising your professional development above chasing small monies, can help,” he added.