ACE MARKS ITS 10TH ANNIVERSARY AT THE MAIDEN NATIONAL TERTIARY EDUCATION CONFERENCE (NTEC) 2024

The African Centres of Excellence (ACE) proudly marked its 10th anniversary during the inaugural National Tertiary Education Conference (NTEC) 2024. The conference, organized by the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), took place at the Cedi Conference Centre of the University of Ghana from November 5-7, 2024.

Transforming Tertiary Education in Ghana

Under the theme “Transforming Tertiary Education in Ghana: Dialogue, Policy, and Practice,” the three-day event brought together key stakeholders from regulatory bodies, leaders of tertiary education institutions, policymakers, researchers, and industry experts. The conference served as a platform to highlight the significant achievements of the ACE initiative over the past decade.

Launched in 2013 and supported by the World Bank, the Africa Centres of Excellence (ACE) project has profoundly impacted higher education in Ghana. Its primary objective is to bolster selected universities across Africa, enhancing their capabilities in advanced research and training to address pressing regional development challenges in sectors such as health, agriculture, and engineering.

Significant Advancements in Ghana

The ACE project has facilitated remarkable progress in research, training, and regional collaboration within Ghana. Key highlights include:

Funding

Since its inception, ACE initiatives in Ghana have attracted substantial investments. From 2014 to 2019 (ACE I), three centres received $24 million, while the current ACE Impact phase (2019-2025) has seen funding soar to $56.4 million, benefiting nine centres across five public universities.

Specialized Centres

The funded centres focus on critical areas including agriculture, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics), and health. Noteworthy centres include the West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement (WACCI), the West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP-NCDS) at the University of Ghana, and others such as the Regional Water and Environmental Sanitation Centre (RWESCK) and the Centre for Coastal Resilience (ACECoR).

Student Enrolment and Research Output

ACE centres have prioritized the expansion of postgraduate education, enrolling thousands of master's and Ph.D. students nationwide, alongside offering short-term professional courses. Each centre has consistently met stringent quality and performance benchmarks, achieved international program accreditation and facilitating industry-relevant student internships.

Research output has been robust, with numerous publications in peer-reviewed journals and various innovations that provide both academic insights and practical solutions to local challenges.

Capacity Building and Skill Development

The ACE initiative emphasizes creating a skilled workforce, particularly in STEM fields. Thousands of students have benefited from graduate and Ph.D. programs, developing critical expertise essential for driving innovation and economic growth in Ghana and across West Africa.

Community and Development Impact

ACE research aligns strategically with Ghana’s national priorities, addressing significant challenges in health, agriculture, and environmental resilience. For example, studies on infectious pathogens and genetic medicine aim to enhance healthcare outcomes, while agricultural and water management initiatives promote sustainable practices vital for food security and environmental preservation.

Regional Integration and Partnerships

The project has fostered a collaborative network among West African nations, enhancing regional integration by enabling Ghanaian institutions to partner with universities across the continent. This cooperation supports a cohesive approach to higher education and research, aligning educational programs with regional economic priorities, including the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Attracting Funding and Investment

ACE centres have successfully attracted funding from various international and regional sources, including multilateral organizations and private sector investments. This financial support ensures sustainability, allowing centres to continuously upgrade their programs, infrastructure, and research capabilities.

Prospects for Sustainability

The ACE program prioritizes long-term sustainability by encouraging revenue generation through external funding, commercialization of research, and alignment with national development policies. Future recommendations include establishing a national endowment fund to provide consistent research funding and bridging the digital divide through enhanced digital infrastructure.

Highlights from the Conference

During the conference, leaders from all ACE centres presented their key achievements, emphasizing the following:

• Positioning ACEs as national research hubs in critical sectors like health and agriculture to attract government resources and support initiatives that drive economic growth.
• Establishing a national endowment fund for ACE sustainability, ensuring steady funding for research and development aligned with public interests.
• Implementing regulations for the commercialization of ACE research, enabling revenue generation through patents and market-driven innovations.
• Bridging the digital divide through improved digital infrastructure, promoting inclusive education and equitable opportunities for all learners.
• Aligning ACE programs with national development priorities, ensuring contributions to Ghana’s overarching goals.

The conference also featured distinguished speakers addressing crucial topics such as Curriculum Development, Pedagogy, Quality Assurance, Internationalization, and Research Development in Tertiary Education.

Notable figures who were present include Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, the Honorable Minister for Education, Professor Kwame Boafo-Arthur, Board Chair of GTEC, Professor Ahmed Jinapor Abdulai, Director-General of GTEC, Professor Francis K. E Nunoo, Deputy Director-General of GTEC, Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, Vice Chancellor of University of Ghana, Professor Gordon Awandare, Pro Vice Chancellor of University of Ghana and Emeritus Professor Ernest Aryeetey, former vice chancellor of university of Ghana.

Speakers and Researchers who delivered presentations include Prof. Atsu Aryee, University of Ghana, Prof. Ernest K. Davies, Provost, College of Education, University of Cape Coast, Prof. Daniel Twerefour, Director of Quality Assurance, University of Ghana, Eduada Castel Branco, African Continental Qualifications Framework, Prof. Yaw Oheneba-Sakyi, Head, Teaching Excellence Unit, Centre for Teaching and Learning Innovation, University of Ghana, Prof. Mohammed Salifu, Former Director-General, GTEC.

Other speakers were Dr Edmund Aalangdong, Head of Policy and Planning and National Focal Point for ACE, Prof. Albert Luguterah, Vice Chancellor, C.K.Tendem University of Technology and Applied Sciences, Prof. Dorcas Obiri Yeboah, Deputy Director, DRIP, University of Cape Coast, Prof. Samuel Atintono, Principal, Accra College of Education, Prof. Dennis Aheto, Centre Leader, ACECOR, University of Cape Coast, Prof. McBagnonluri, President, Academic City University College, Prof. Felix Abagale, Centre Leader, WACWISA, University for Development Studies, Dr. Patrick Awua, President, Ashesi University College, Prof. Rosemond Boohene, Pro Vice Chancellor, University of Cape Coast, James Mwewa, African Continental Qualifications Framework and Prof. Nii Boye Tagoe, former Vice Chancellor, University of Ghana.

The event underscored the vital role of ACE centres in shaping the future of higher education in Ghana and their commitment to fostering innovation and addressing local and regional challenges.