Haruna Iddrisu mandates joint-degree programs with foreign institutions

Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu has announced a shift in the country's higher education strategy, prioritizing a transnational education policy that seeks to integrate local and international academic experiences. Speaking at the 2026 Study in Europe Fair, Iddrisu stated that the government intends to make joint and double-degree programs mandatory for partnerships between Ghanaian and foreign institutions. This move is aimed at expanding access to high-quality education for the nation's youth while ensuring that the educational framework remains responsive to local needs.

The policy is designed to allow students to pursue academic qualifications that involve periods of study both in Ghana and abroad. By mandating these collaborative programs, the Ministry of Education hopes to provide students with critical international exposure and global perspectives without requiring them to leave the country permanently. Minister Iddrisu emphasized that such comprehensive programs are essential for enhancing equity and access, ensuring that a larger number of students can benefit from world-class education through structured institutional partnerships.

A key objective of this initiative is the strategic management of the nation’s human capital to address the challenge of brain drain. The Minister noted that while international academic collaborations are beneficial, it is vital to maintain strong ties between students and local institutions. The government's goal is to transition from a model of brain drain to one of "brain gain," where the skills and knowledge acquired through international exposure are reinvested back into the Ghanaian economy.

As the government moves forward with the implementation of these mandatory joint-degree programs, the focus will be on ensuring that these partnerships are substantive and mutually beneficial. The transnational education policy represents a broader effort to modernize Ghana’s higher education sector and position it as a hub for academic excellence in the region. By formalizing these international links, the Ministry aims to build long-term institutional capacity and provide Ghanaian graduates with the competitive edge needed in a globalized job market.