A Non-state University’s Contribution to the Tertiary Education Landscape in Ghana

Abstract

The relevance of university education to human capital formation and socio-economic development of nations is not in doubt. Hence, both state and non-state actors are permitted to offer university education to achieve that end in most jurisdictions. In Ghana, the monopolistic power of the state in providing university education paved way to private sector participation ostensibly to widening access to many qualified prospective students who seek admission. The private universities now outnumber the public ones and the central question is “how meaningfully is the private sector aiding the state in providing university education in the country”?  The study set out to find answers to the question using one of the premier private universities as a case. Primary and secondary data were gathered via interview and content analysis to provide evidence of the university’s contribution to higher education. It was discovered that the institution has made some germane contributions in the areas of access, programme and community service to broaden university education landscape in the country. The paper concludes with recommendations that could aid to address the challenges identified to enable the private university to, probably, double its contributions to university education.