The Director of Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), Professor Mohammed Salifu, sheds light on the challenges that they have been facing in the development of infrastructure in colleges of education due to contractors’ unwillingness to cooperate.
In a recent interview on JoyNews AM show aired on Monday, 22nd May 2023, Professor Salifu explains that the delays in most infrastructure development in colleges of education are due to the contractors who have been awarded the contracts failing to collaborate with them.
The contractors, as per the Director, are apprehensive about investing their resources in the projects initiated by the government, fearing that they might not receive their payment in the end.
Even though payment assurance has been given to them, they still seem to be doubtful, which has stalled the implementation of the 300-bed capacity hostels initiatives they had planned.
Professor Salifu further explains that this setback had led to the planning of re-evaluating the contracts’ awarding process, and they are currently working on an alternative approach to engaging different contractors.
Despite these challenges, the Director remains optimistic about continuing with the infrastructural development plans and ensuring that colleges of education are equipped with state-of-the-art facilities to enhance learning.
The show had other notable speakers, including the Editor of the Teacher Education Journal, Larry K. Agbador, Executive Director for the Institute of Education Studies, Dr. Peter Anti, the National President of PRINCOF, and Prof. Samuel Atintono.
These experts shared their insights into the issues facing colleges of education and offered suggestions on the way forward.