University of Ghana to admit students from less endowed SSS

Accra, March 13, GNA - The University of Ghana has reserved 300 vacancies for student applicants from less endowed Senior Secondary Schools (SSS) with effect from the next academic year. These are for students who pass their SSSCE within aggregate 24 but are beyond the cut-off point in addition to any of their mates who make it on their own.

Professor Kwadwo Asenso-Okyere, Vice Chancellor of the University, announced this on Saturday at this year's congregation.

At the congregation, 605 students were presented with Certificate/Diploma, 2,764 had Bachelor's Degree out of which 329 had first class, 569 had Masters Degree and seven had Doctor of Philosophy Degree.

He said the Ghana Education Service had classified all senior secondary schools in the country and there were 285 disadvantaged schools which would provide a list of guide for the University's Admissions Board in implementing this new policy.

He said the university had recognized the inequity in the admission of candidates into the University because endowments with respect to secondary schools tended to be different, adding: "If conscious efforts are not taken to correct these inequities some very good brains will be lost forever."

"I would like to assure the general public that one does not need to see any official of the University to get admission into the University of Ghana. Admissions is by merit and we would want it to stay like that", he said.

Prof Asenso-Okyere said last year the University received 20,374 applications out of which it was able to offer admission to only 10,675 and 7,586 of them enrolled implying a 52 per cent admission rate and 71 per cent enrolment rate.

"If this level of enrolment continues for four years, the University will have a student population of over 30,000. Can we cope with this population given the resources available?" He asked.