During the fifth congregation of the Clement Kubindiwo Tedam University of Technology and Applied Sciences (CKT-UTAS) in Navrongo, Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu, who is also the Member of Parliament for the Tamale South Constituency, affirmed the Mahama-led government's unwavering commitment to non-interference in the academic freedom of universities across Ghana. He explicitly stated, "There will be no interference in academic freedom. We will respect the letter and spirit of the Constitution, not to interfere even in the management and running of universities." This declaration underscored a core principle of President Mahama’s 'Reset Agenda', which, according to the Minister, aims to grant universities unfettered freedom, fostering their contributions to vital research and meaningful social development within the country.

The congregation celebrated the academic achievements of 790 students, comprising 198 graduate students and 592 undergraduates, who were conferred various degrees upon completing their programmes. Minister Iddrisu took the opportunity to address several critical issues facing CKT-UTAS, assuring the university community of the government's support. He acknowledged that CKT-UTAS carried some legacy debts, particularly those related to the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), and indicated that the government would consider absorbing these debts and resolving other pertinent issues. This proactive measure is intended to enable the university to concentrate fully on its primary mandate of education and research.

Furthermore, Mr. Iddrisu provided assurances regarding infrastructure development, stating that CKT-UTAS would be prioritized whenever the government deploys fibre infrastructure or broadband to universities. Addressing concerns about the poor condition of roads on the university campus, he revealed that he had formally written to the Minister for Roads to prioritize university road infrastructure. He expressed confidence that the Minister for Roads would ensure CKT-UTAS receives due attention in the allocation of road development projects for academic institutions.

Delving into the broader economic context, Minister Iddrisu explained that President Mahama inherited an economy burdened with unsustainable debts. He characterized the 2025 budget from the Minister for Finance as a corrective measure designed to "reset the economy." Looking ahead, he assured the university community that a major infrastructure initiative for the CKT-UTAS campus would commence under the 2026 budget. Despite being established relatively recently in 2020, and not being among the initially "lucky" universities, CKT-UTAS has demonstrated tremendous progress over the years, a fact acknowledged by the Minister, who pledged the Ministry's continued support for the university to fulfill its mandate effectively.

Reinforcing the government's dedication to educational excellence, Mr. Iddrisu affirmed, "Be assured that President Mahama will work with us to improve the quality of higher education in Ghana. In fact, we have already started demonstrating it." He highlighted a significant national achievement: the operationalization of the national research fund by President Mahama, accompanied by a dedicated allocation of GH¢50 million for research initiatives across Ghana. Additionally, he announced that the government, leveraging the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund), would fully fund five local Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programmes as part of the Mahama-led government’s reset agenda, encouraging faculty members to take advantage of this opportunity.

Concluding his address, Minister Iddrisu offered profound advice to the graduating students. He admonished them to serve the nation diligently and to work assiduously to preserve both their personal and institutional corporate reputations. Recognizing that many would transition into corporate roles after their national service, he urged them to uphold honesty in their professional lives, steering clear of corruption and any related illicit acts. This advice emphasized the importance of integrity as they embark on their professional journeys.