Accra: The University of Ghana's Department of Political Science, in collaboration with the Konrad Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) Ghana Office, held the maiden edition of its flagship outreach programme, titled "Time with a Politician". This initiative represents a deliberate and strategic effort by the department to bridge the often-wide gap between academic theory and the practical realities of political life in Ghana.
According to Ghana Web, Professor Isaac Owusu-Mensah, Head of the Department of Political Science at the University of Ghana, emphasized that the initiative would provide students with the opportunity to engage experienced political actors and deepen their understanding of governance, policy-making, and democratic practice. He highlighted that the primary purpose of the series is to offer a neutral and academic forum for distinguished political figures to share their personal life experiences, leadership lessons, and insights gained from years of public service.
Dr Kwabena Donkor, former Minister of Power and Member of Parliament for Pru East, was the first speaker in the series. In his remarks, Dr Donkor urged universities to align academic programmes with national manpower needs rather than the pursuit of internally generated funds (IGF). He expressed concern that many programmes in public universities were increasingly driven by revenue considerations instead of national development priorities, potentially undermining the quality and relevance of higher education.
Dr Donkor specifically pointed out that several academic programmes, particularly in business schools and law faculties, were structured mainly to generate income for universities. He warned that such trends could compromise academic standards, especially in postgraduate programmes, emphasizing that proper master's programmes require more than just contact hours.
Anna Wasserfall, Country Representative of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Ghana, stressed the importance of cooperation and dialogue in strengthening democratic governance. She noted the foundation's long-standing commitment to supporting platforms that encourage political dialogue, civic education, and engagement between leaders and the younger generation. Wasserfall highlighted that partnerships with universities are central to their work, as academic institutions are critical spaces for testing, challenging, and refining ideas.
The 'Time with a Politician' series aims to create a structured, respectful, and intellectually stimulating platform where politicians can candidly reflect on their journeys, decisions, challenges, and contributions to national development.