Only 20% of exiting lecturers replaced - Kofi Asare backs UTAG's call for staffing

Kofi Asare, the Executive Director of Africa Education Watch, supports UTAG's call for action.

UTAG is urging the government to address the lecturer shortage in public universities.

On Joy FM’s Newsnight, Mr. Asare shared concerning statistics. He noted that only 20% of academic staff who left between 2022 and 2024 were replaced. This has created a significant staffing deficit in higher education.

He emphasized that this gap affects the quality of education. UTAG has requested financial clearance to hire 1,500 new lecturers. They argue that the shortage puts pressure on existing staff.

Mr. Asare highlighted government policies aimed at increasing student enrollment. However, he warned that without adequate staffing, institutions may struggle to cope.

He stated, “We must replace exiting staff or increase numbers with rising enrollment.” This issue is critical for maintaining educational standards.

Asare explained that universities rely on Internally Generated Funds (IGF) due to government funding issues. In 2023, nearly 75% of IGF collected went towards salaries.

He mentioned that universities are expected to generate about GH¢2.7 billion in IGF this year. Of this amount, GH¢800 million will be used for salaries.

This reliance on IGF is unsustainable, according to Asare. Originally intended for infrastructure and improvements, it now covers recurring costs. If the government does not act soon, universities may struggle financially and fail to invest in resources and facilities.