Deputy Minister for Education, Dr. Clement Abas Apaak, has urged stronger collaboration between universities and industry, saying partnerships such as the one between MTN Ghana and the University of Ghana can help move education beyond the classroom and create wider economic opportunities.
Speaking at the MTN Ghana–University of Ghana partnership signing ceremony in Accra on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, Dr. Apaak said Ghana could draw lessons from Rwanda’s approach to linking education, technology and investment.
He pointed to Kigali Innovation City as a useful example of how deliberate collaboration can generate economic value.
“Rwanda’s Kigali Innovation City offers a useful example of how this kind of collaboration can translate into wider economic value,” he said.
According to Dr. Apaak, Kigali Innovation City brings together higher education institutions, technology companies, start-ups and investors, with institutions such as Carnegie Mellon University Africa playing an important role.
“By bringing together higher education, technology firms, start-ups and investors and anchored by institutions such as Carnegie Mellon University Africa: it is helping to build advanced digital skills, support entrepreneurship and stimulate technology-led growth.”
He said the experience offered a clear lesson for Ghana as the country seeks to strengthen the connection between education, innovation and industry.
“The lesson is clear: when industry and academia work together with intention, the benefits go beyond the classroom,” he stated.
Dr. Apaak said such partnerships could contribute directly to job creation, enterprise development, innovation and improved national productivity.
“They create jobs, grow enterprises, strengthen innovation, and improve national productivity.”
He added that government considers private-sector partnerships with educational institutions essential to Ghana’s long-term development.
“As Government, we see partnerships of this nature as essential to building a stronger bridge between education, innovation, industry and national development.”
The latest partnership between MTN Ghana and the University of Ghana is expected to deepen cooperation between industry and academia, particularly in areas linked to digital skills, technology and innovation. A report on the partnership also highlighted initiatives including a Digital Excellence Award and an AI hackathon, aimed at talent development and practical problem-solving.
