By Michael Foli Jackidy
Dzodze (V/R), March 28, GNA – The Ketu North Municipal Assembly, led by Reverend Martin Amenaki, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), has handed over 500 tables and chairs to the Dzodze Technical Institute (DZOTECH), to boost to technical and vocational education in the municipality.
The presentation follows an earlier appeal by the MCE to the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Directorate, for support to furnish newly constructed classroom facilities at the institute.
Rev. Amenaki said the Assembly had completed the school infrastructure but faced financial and procurement challenges in providing furniture and described the delivery as timely and impactful.
“It is like a dream fulfilled. The burden has been lifted off the Assembly. We were making serious efforts to provide furniture, but we could not have supplied up to 500 units. At best, we were considering about 200,” he stated.
He noted that the intervention aligned with a directive by John Dramani Mahama, urging Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), to procure durable and modern furniture instead of wooden types, which tended to wear out quickly.
Rev. Amenaki expressed confidence that the furniture would adequately serve the school for the next two to three years, considering its current enrolment levels.
He described DZOTECH as the only “pure” technical institution in the Ketu North Municipality, explaining that it placed strong emphasis on practical skills training.
“Technical education should be 70 per cent practical and 30 per cent theory, but in many institutions, it is the reverse. Here, students are equipped with hands-on skills to become job-ready and self-reliant,” he said.
He urged students to take advantage of the facilities and apply their knowledge beyond the classroom, including engaging in real-life technical and construction projects within the municipality.
The MCE further assured the school of continued support, disclosing ongoing discussions to improve infrastructure and expand training opportunities, including plans to involve students in catering and other vocational services for official functions.
He urged the students to take proper care of the furniture and ensure regular maintenance, stressing that as a technical institute, they are equipped with the skills to keep the facilities in good condition.
Mr Anthony Ablorde Avorgbedor, the former Municipal Chief Executive for Ketu North, recounted that the institute was established to address the absence of a technical school in the area.
He said the initiative was informed by a needs assessment conducted by the Assembly, which revealed limited opportunities for skills training among the youth.
“We realised many young people lack employable skills. You cannot be a master of all trades; you must specialise. That is why we started this school,” he said.
He explained that the Assembly renovated an abandoned training college facility and quickly converted it into a technical institute.
Mr Avorgbedor commended the current leadership and stakeholders for sustaining the vision and expressed optimism that the institute could eventually be upgraded into a technical university.
Madam Nancy Annan-Moses, the Principal of DZOTECH, expressed gratitude to both past and present Assembly leadership for their continued support.
“They truly have the school at heart. Whenever we call on them, they respond promptly. We are deeply grateful,” she said.
She said the furniture would significantly improve teaching and learning, providing a more conducive environment for students.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/ Christabel Addo