COVID-19: Tertiary institutions in Ghana to re-open August 24 for continuing students

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo​ has directed that tertiary institutions should re-open on August 24, 2020 for continuing students who have not been able to complete their academic work for the year to do so.

The University of Cape Coast (UCC), the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS), technical universities and some other colleges for instance have not been able to complete their academic work for this year as a result of the coronavirus disease which caused the tertiary institutions to be closed.

While some of them such as the University of Ghana and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) have been able to complete their academic work via online learning, the others have not been able to do so.

In his 15th national address on measures being taken against the spread of COVID-19 on Sunday night [August 16 2020], President Akufo-Addo said the decision to re-open the tertiary institutions follows "extensive stakeholder consultations."

He said through online learning portals, almost all continuing students in the universities have completed their studies for the academic year.

"The exception are the University of Cape Coast, the University of Health and Allied Sciences, Technical Universities and some other Colleges."

"After extensive stakeholder consultations, the decision has been taken for continuing students in these tertiary institutions to return to school, on 24th August to finish their academic year." 

The president said just as was done for final year students who returned to school, the government through the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service (GES) will ensure that all these tertiary institutions are disinfected.

"Universities will be equipped with the necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) and those with their own hospitals and clinics will have isolation centres to deal with any positive cases."

President Akufo-Addo said all other institutions without their own clinics and hospitals will be linked to health facilities.

He said there will be no mass gatherings and no sporting activities, religious activities will however be permitted under the new protocols.

"Social distancing and the wearing of face masks must become the norm on campus." President Akufo-Addo added. 

Pre-tertiary schools remain closed

President Akufo-Addo said the Ministry of Education continues to engage the Ghana Education Service (GES) and all relevant stakeholders to conclude discussions on the modalities surrounding the re-opening of pre-tertiary schools.

"I will communicate, in due course, the decisions that will be reached from these consultations."

"You can be rest assured that I will always take into prime consideration the safety and well-being of our children, teachers and non-teaching staff in the decisions that will be taken, because I am determined to ensure that the education of our children is not unduly disturbed by this pandemic," he said.

Watch a video of the address below

Writer's email: enoch.frimpong@graphic.com.gh 

Follow @enochfrimpong Follow @Graphicgh