The Institute for Educational Planning and Administration (IEPA) was officially launched as a UNESCO Category II Centre of Excellence for the West African sub-region by the Minister of Education, Honourable Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum at a ceremony held on 16th June 2021 at the University of Cape Coast (UCC) in Ghana.

In his welcome address, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, Prof. J. N. Boampong expressed his excitement for the launch ceremony in the following remarks: “My excitement is three-fold - as Vice Chancellor of UCC and IEPA Governing Board Chairman; as Chairperson for this event; and most importantly the University of Cape Coast; the University of Competitive Choice is proud to be the first university in Ghana to have one of its Institutes upgraded to a UNESCO Category II Status.” He further stated that, “I am happy to report that IEPA’s mandate as UNESCO Category II Centre at the University of Cape Coast aligns with aspects of my vision and strategy… which is to ‘embark on internalization drive that seeks to enhance the visibility of the university.”

In his welcome address, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, Prof. J. N. Boampong expressed his excitement for the launch ceremony in the following remarks: “My excitement is three-fold - as Vice Chancellor of UCC and IEPA Governing Board Chairman; as Chairperson for this event; and most importantly the University of Cape Coast; the University of Competitive Choice is proud to be the first university in Ghana to have one of its Institutes upgraded to a UNESCO Category II Status.” He further stated that, “I am happy to report that IEPA’s mandate as UNESCO Category II Centre at the University of Cape Coast aligns with aspects of my vision and strategy… which is to ‘embark on internalization drive that seeks to enhance the visibility of the university.”

The Representative from UNESCO to Ghana, Mr. Abdourahamane Diallo, in his remarks, stressed that, “IEPA has now become a member of the global network of 15 UNESCO Education Sector centres of excellence”. He explained that “Given their expertise, Category II institutes and centres contribute significantly to the implementation of UNESCO’s strategic priorities, programmes, and global development agendas, through international and regional cooperation, research, knowledge production, policy advice, and capacity development.” He assured IEPA of his office’s support, intimating that, “the UNESCO Office in Accra stands ready to provide the necessary support to IEPA to become a highly sought-after centre of excellence in the West African subregion”. Mr. Diallo affirmed that, “Governments and development partners are looking up to institutions such as IEPA to come up with innovative solutions through well-grounded scientific research to solve many of the challenges that our educational systems are facing, which have been worsened by COVID-19.”

The highlight of the event saw the Minister of Education, Honourable Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum launch IEPA as a UNESCO Category II Centre of Excellence for the West African sub-region. He recognized the excellent work IEPA has done in the past which has culminated in the Government of Ghana working so hard with the University of Cape Coast to elevate IEPA to a UNESCO Category II Centre of Excellence for West Africa. He charged IEPA to come up with innovative ways to solve the countries aged-old challenges in education, stating that “your excellence must reflect in excellence in Ghana’s educational sector.” The Honourable Minister shared some of the policies and interventions his ministry is putting in place to ensure that Ghana’s educational system produces graduates who are creative, innovative and tech-savvy to meet the challenges of Ghana’s national developmental needs. 

Instrumentally, the new IEPA UNESCO Category II Centre of Excellence for West Africa will result in member states harnessing research and innovation to boost development and build related capacities, preparing policy briefs emanating from research in topical issues of educational equity and efficiency, and networking for collaborative work on the priority areas of UNESCO. 

It is worthy to note that Ghana is committed to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as well as the African Union’s Agenda 2063. The elevation of IEPA to a UNESCO Category II status is part of the commitment of West African governments to meet the above international agenda for education, especially in meeting the SDG 4 which seeks to “ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.”