The Minister for Education, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, has urged the Bolgatanga Technical University (BTU) to take a frontline role in driving agricultural innovation and sustainability in Northern Ghana. Speaking during the inauguration of BTU’s new governing council, the Minister called on the institution to align its research and academic programming with the urgent needs of local farmers and communities.
“Sustainable agriculture must not just be a theory in the classroom. BTU has a responsibility to translate its technical expertise into everyday solutions that improve farming yields, ensure climate resilience, and create jobs for young people in the region,” he stated.
He further emphasized that technical universities must rise beyond theoretical teaching to become catalysts for solving national challenges, particularly in rural development and food production. With agriculture facing mounting pressure from climate change, low mechanization, and productivity setbacks, Hon. Iddrisu said BTU can fill a critical gap between policy and practice.
BTU is expected to serve as a hub for applied research in agriculture, especially in crop improvement, soil management, irrigation technologies, and agro-processing. The university’s direct engagement with local communities, he said, will be vital to ensuring that education contributes to sustainable livelihoods and food security in the Upper East Region.
The Minister also announced that BTU will benefit from a US$5 million grant from the Government of Italy under Ghana’s broader Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) reform agenda. The grant will support infrastructure upgrades, equipment procurement, and new program development tailored to labor market demands.
He expressed confidence in the newly sworn-in council to provide visionary leadership that harnesses the talents of faculty and students in support of national agricultural transformation.
