The Gonjaland Youth Association (GLYA) has applauded President John Dramani Mahama and the Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, for their swift intervention in the absorption of Savannah College of Education into the public system.
In a statement signed by its president, Lawyer Mohammed Amin Osman, and issued by its PRO, Mifti Habib Borejinkpar, dated March 7, 2025, the association expressed gratitude to the President and Minister for their prompt action in responding to the needs of the people in the Savannah Region, as well as the staff and students of the College.
“We extend our heartfelt commendation to President John Dramani Mahama and Honourable Haruna Iddrisu, the Minister of Education, for their swift and decisive attention, which led to the immediate absorption of the College into the public system,” the statement read.
“The Association, through our Education Committee and the interim Board of the College, has made several efforts toward achieving this goal, and we are immensely elated to see these efforts culminate in this significant development.”
The Association stated that it is confident the absorption of the College will enhance access to education in the region.
“As the first College of Education in the Savannah Region, we are confident that this milestone will enhance access to quality education in the region. The Chiefs and people of the region remain fully committed to supporting the College and ensuring it thrives and competes with other Colleges of Education across Ghana.”
“We would like to express our profound appreciation to Prof. Ahmed Jinapor, Director-General of the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), and the staff of the Commission for their unwavering support throughout this process.”
The association further expressed gratitude to the King and Overlord of the Gonja Kingdom, Yagbonwura Biikunuto Jewu Soale I, the Wasipeura, the acting Principal of the College, and all stakeholders whose collective efforts played a role in this achievement.
Background
On Saturday, March 1, students of the College locked up lecture halls and boycotted all academic activities, threatening to deal with any lecturer who attempted to step foot on the campus.
The agitated students, who are in their first year (Level 100), claimed they had been misled by the management of the College regarding the institution’s status.
According to the students, they had been informed that their school would be absorbed by the government to become a public institution. However, upon gaining admission, they discovered this information was inaccurate, despite seeing the school’s name on the website of the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC).
The students subsequently locked the classrooms and boycotted classes as a means of registering their displeasure.
However, in the late hours of Monday, March 3, some members of the Daboya community stormed the school, demanding the classrooms be opened.
This led to a confrontation between the students and the residents.
It took the intervention of police and military personnel to restore order.
Some classroom furniture was destroyed during the confrontations.
The management of the school has yet to respond to the matter.
Gov’t transitions Savannah College of Education to public college system
