UEW Vice-Chancellor cites funding constraints for Ghanaian PhD programmes at Lomé conference

University of Education, Winneba (UEW) Vice‑Chancellor Professor Stephen Jobson Mitchual highlighted persistent funding constraints affecting doctoral programmes in Ghanaian universities during the Inter‑University Conference for Doctoral Studies (IUCDS) held at the Université de Lomé, Togo, on 11 November 2026.

Funding challenges and appeal for support

Speaking at the orientation ceremony for new PhD candidates, Professor Mitchual said the prevailing conditions make it difficult to secure sponsorship for students on PhD programmes.

“However, the prevailing conditions in our universities today with respect to funding make it difficult to get sponsorship for students on PhD programmes,” he said.

He urged participating students to intensify their research skills and to make effective use of the academic support offered during the orientation.

“I would therefore like to call on all PhD students participating in the orientation to redouble their efforts in developing their research skills, bearing in mind that they will be taken through the research process so that the vision of the founding members of the Doctoral School will be realised,” he added.

The vice‑chancellor also appealed to resource persons, thesis supervisors and examiners from the University of Lomé and other partner institutions to guide students through the research process, stressing that collaboration is essential to address the shortage of well‑trained academics and to improve teaching and research quality.

Professor Mitchual proposed the creation of a Research, Innovation and Staff Development Fund (RISDF) among partner institutions, citing UEW’s own RISDF as a model for fostering a robust research culture.

The speech was delivered on his behalf by Prof. Awaisu Imurana Braimah, Dean of the School of Graduate Studies, UEW. The IUCDS continues to facilitate collaborative research, staff development and doctoral training across the region.