By The Minister of Education is Haruna Iddrisu. He is also the Member of Parliament for Tamale South. Haruna Iddrisu has made a request to the Indonesian government. He asked them to consider establishing an Islamic Medical University in Northern Ghana.
He believes such an institution would help bridge the development gap between the northern and southern parts of the country. It would also strengthen the long-standing educational and diplomatic ties between Ghana and Indonesia.
Iddrisu made the appeal during a courtesy visit by the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Indonesia in Ghana, H.E. Paskal A.B. Rois, to his office in Accra. The visit aimed to brief the minister on Indonesian scholarship opportunities, from which several Ghanaian students are already benefiting.
The minister traced the historical ties between the two nations. He recalled the efforts of Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah. Indonesia’s President, Achmed Sukarno, also played a role in strengthening bilateral relations through the Non-Aligned Movement. He expressed optimism that further collaborations, including the proposed Islamic Medical University, would deepen these ties.
Iddrisu emphasised that establishing such a university would have significant benefits. It would focus strongly on science and medical education. This would accelerate the training of medical professionals in Northern Ghana. It would also cement relations between Ghana’s Muslim community and Indonesia, one of the world’s largest Islamic nations.
“The future of the 21st century is about competencies, skills, and knowledge. These elements basically dovetail into science, mathematics, and engineering,” he noted. He added that Ghana still has a shortage of medical doctors. This problem is particularly acute in rural and deprived areas. A medical university in the north would bring a paradigm shift in medical education in the region. It would also impact the country as a whole.
In response, H.E. Paskal A.B. Rois welcomed the minister’s proposal and assured him that he would escalate the matter to Indonesian authorities for consideration. He congratulated Hon. Iddrisu on his appointment as Education Minister, acknowledging his vast experience in governance and lawmaking.
The Honorary Consul also briefed the minister on Indonesia’s various scholarship schemes. These include the KNB Scholarship. It is currently available for students from developing countries, including Ghana. He disclosed that over 60 Ghanaian students are currently pursuing undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral degrees in Indonesia. Several others have completed their studies and returned home.
Mr Rois highlighted recent engagements between his office and key Ghanaian universities. This includes Ghana Technology University (GTU), the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), and the University of Cape Coast (UCC). These discussions, he said, have paved the way for a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This MoU will soon facilitate student and faculty exchange programmes between Ghanaian and Indonesian universities.
He expressed hope that the Education Minister would use his position and expertise to strengthen Ghana’s education sector. He also hoped to enhance collaborations between the two countries through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration.
