Parliament advances bill to establish new university of engineering and agricultural sciences

Parliament has taken a significant step toward the creation of a new specialized tertiary institution, as the University of Engineering and Agricultural Sciences Bill, 2025, was successfully read for the second time following a robust debate on the floor of the House.

Moving the motion for the bill, the Minister of Education, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, outlined the core objective of the proposed legislation. He stated that the bill is designed to formally establish the University of Engineering and Agricultural Sciences and to put in place a comprehensive framework for its governance and day-to-day management.

Presenting the findings of the Education Committee, the Committee’s Chairman, Hon. Peter Kwasi Nortsu-Kotoe, elaborated on the necessity of the bill. He noted that it would provide a clear and coordinated structure for the university, covering its governance, financial operations, administration, and the general regulation of its activities.

While the bill enjoyed broad support, the Minority Leader, Hon. Osahene Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, rose to confirm the Minority Caucus’s backing for the establishment of the university. However, he urged the government to adopt a more expansive vision for the institution. Hon. Afenyo-Markin cautioned against limiting the university’s mandate to conventional academic pathways. He specifically called on the Education Minister to ensure the new institution places a strong emphasis on technical and vocational education, as well as practical apprenticeship models, to better equip graduates with employable skills.

Following the debate, the bill has officially advanced to the Consideration Stage, where it will be scrutinized clause-by-clause before a potential final passage.