Takoradi, June 24, GNA – The Takoradi Technical University (TTU) has been tasked to spearhead the rapid socio-economic development using Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
They are also to identify the requisite needs of the nation and provide hands-on solutions.
Nana Kobina Nketsia V, a Historian and Paramount Chief of the Essikado traditional area tasked TTU when he delivered the third convocation lecture series of the TTU on the theme: “Repositioning Ghana as the TVET Hub for Africa- The role of TTU”.
The convocation lectures were to allow the University to discuss pertinent issues in the TVET arena, enrich the knowledge of the sector and make research finding an integral part of the university’s decision-making to make it become a Technical University of Choice.
He indicated that vocational skills were distinctive to societies and are the wheels on which every society survived.
According to him, the use of appropriate technology has become even more pronounced in recent times to advance growth and development and therefore the need for institutions offering such education to provide the right skills and leadership.
Technical and vocational education was a manifestation of creativity hence, the need for TTU as an institution to develop the Will Power, mindset, and plan for vocational and technical education.
Nana Kobina Nketsia V, therefore, encouraged the TTU to brand itself with innovations alongside passing on requisite skills needed for developing not only Ghana but the world at large.
He said, “As academics, we know that education is about gaining, maintaining and handling of power as well as transforming the reality of that power into planning and development, ensuring a power construct which, guarantees one community the ability to survive as a people”.
He indicated further that technical and vocational education should be a set of skills required for the African environment and that which can profess answers to the myriad of issues bedeviling the continent.
The revered Chief and Academician, therefore, entreated stakeholders in education to turn attention to the sector, give it the needed support and ensure its maximization.
Reverend John Frank Eshun, the Vice-Chancellor of the University giving a comparative analysis of Ghana and Singapore and strides in per capital income noted how TVET had done the magic for the latter country.
He said TVET had the potential to solve the over ten million unskilled labour particularly young people of Africa, change their fortunes and bring hope to many homes through poverty alleviation.
The VC said integrating TVET in the general education system of the country has a lot of good to offer and it holds the key to Ghana’s industrialization.
GNA