Professor Yayra Dzakadzie, the Deputy Director-General of the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), lauded the country's remarkable 22% increase in Gross Tertiary Enrollment Ratio (GTER) from 20% the previous year, describing it as commendable progress. Speaking at the investiture of Professor John Owusu, Vice-Chancellor of Koforidua Technical University, Professor Dzakadzie emphasized the significance of this achievement in aligning with Ghana's goal of reaching a GTER of 40% by 2030.
Highlighting the pivotal role of tertiary education in national development, Professor Dzakadzie noted that studies had shown a significant contribution to GDP from workers with tertiary education, emphasizing the correlation between countries with GTER above 40% and faster development rates. He stressed that a higher GTER not only boosts the economy but also equips students with essential skills for the 21st-century workforce, particularly in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields, crucial for the fourth industrial revolution.
Commending the Commission's efforts to achieve a Science to Humanity ratio of 43:57, Professor Dzakadzie underscored the importance of adapting strategies to meet evolving industry demands. He reaffirmed the Commission's commitment to ensuring access to quality tertiary education for Ghanaians and urged stakeholders to collaborate in translating this commitment into tangible outcomes.
The Gross Enrollment Ratio for tertiary education, as per World Bank reports, is calculated by dividing the number of students enrolled in tertiary education by the population of the corresponding age group and multiplying by 100.
