By Anthony Adongo Apubeo
Bolgatanga, May 22, GNA – Professor Samuel Erasmus Alnaa, Vice Chancellor of the Bolgatanga Technical University (BTU), has called on the government to champion a national agenda focused on revitalising Ghana’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector.
Speaking at the 13th congregation of the BTU, the Vice Chancellor emphasised the critical role of TVET in driving the nation’s industrial development and urged President John Dramani Mahama to make it a priority under his government to resource TVET institutions to deliver effectively and efficiently.
“I wish to use this opportunity, through our Special Guest of Honour, to make a special appeal to His Excellency, the President, John Dramani Mahama,” the Vice Chancellor stated, adding that the government should make deliberate and concerted efforts at paying serious attention to the TVET sector of our education.
According to Professor Alnaa, the development of Ghana’s economy hinged on building a skilled, technologically empowered workforce, an effort that could only be achieved if technical universities were adequately supported.
He stressed that sustainable investment in infrastructure, equipment, and financing was urgently needed to position TVET institutions as engines of job creation and industrial growth.
“If we want the TVET sector, particularly the Technical Universities, to be the pathfinders of Ghana’s industrialization drive,” he continued, “then the government should, as a matter of a deliberate agenda, provide the needed equipment, infrastructure, and financing for the TVET sector.”
The Vice Chancellor cited the success of the so-called “Asian Tigers”, thus, countries like South Korea, Singapore, and Taiwan, which had leveraged massive investments in TVET to fast-track economic advancement.
“The Asian Tigers are where they are today because they made a deliberate commitment of resources to their TVET sectors,” the Vice Chancellor noted. “Let’s learn well from them.”
Professor Alnaa reiterated that while management of BTU continued to make strides in academic development and international collaboration, its potential remained hindered by infrastructural challenges, including lecture halls and offices and urged the government to come to their aid.
“This request has been on the drawing board since 2017 and still this very important project is yet to see the light of day,” he said. “It is very unfortunate that this project is still not given any financial allocation to get it constructed. We plead with the government to come to the aid of Bolgatanga Technical University as the lecture hall situation is very disturbing”.
In a speech, read on his behalf, Professor Ahmed Jinapor Abdulai, Director-General of the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), emphasised the role of TVET to transforming the economy and commended BTU for its role in producing entreprenuers to feed the industry.
“Bolgatanga Technical University has the potential to become a center for automotive and mechanical services and training by utilising its state-of-the art laboratories and workshops.
“In this sense, I am confident that it would promote job creation for the country’s development and strengthen the ability of small and medium-sized enterprises in the region”, he said.
Mr Donatus Atanga Akamugri, the Upper East Regional Minister, commended BTU for its contribution to national development and called for collective support to ensure students enrolled onto TVET courses and programmes.
GNA
FAA/CA