By Jibril Abdul Mumuni
Ezinlibo (W/R), July 20, GNA– The Ministry of Education has expressed optimism about the early commencement of the proposed Jomoro College of Education (JOCoE).
This follows an inspection of facilities and land earmarked for the project in the Jomoro Municipality of the Western Region.
The optimism was expressed by Professor George K.T. Oduro, Technical Advisor to the Minister of Education and Chairman of the JOCoE Project Committee, during a familiarisation tour of the project site by a high-level government delegation undertaking stakeholder consultations in the Western Nzema area.
The delegation visited the site after holding engagements with traditional authorities, local government officials and education stakeholders to build support for the establishment of the institution.
Speaking to journalists, Professor Oduro said he was impressed by the existing infrastructure on the site and believed it could facilitate the early take-off of the project.
“I am very much impressed, especially noting that there are structures already on the land. For me, I think we could have even started the College with some of the structures that I see here,” he said.
He commended the members of the Nzema Academia Association for their contribution towards the initiative, stressing that their support was a demonstration of commitment to national development through education.
Professor Oduro noted that support for educational projects was critical to national transformation and called for greater participation by individuals and institutions in the development of the sector.
He expressed confidence that the project would make steady progress and indicated that government hoped to organise a sod-cutting ceremony later this year to formally commence the next phase of implementation.
Project consultants who briefed the delegation said the proposed institution would feature lecture theatres, science laboratories, a library, administrative offices, residential accommodation and other supporting facilities.
They explained that the development plan would accommodate about 2,000 students in its initial phase and form part of a broader long-term expansion strategy for the institution.
The site visit formed part of a four-day working tour by the government delegation, which included meetings with the Western Regional Minister, Municipal Chief Executives, Members of Parliament, Municipal Directors of Education and traditional leaders across the Western Nzema enclave.
The proposed Jomoro College of Education is Ghana’s first institution to integrate foundational teacher education with Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) training under a single framework.
The institution is expected to equip future teachers with practical technical and technological skills to support modern teaching and learning.
The project is also expected to complement major industrial initiatives planned for the Jomoro area, including the Petroleum Hub Development Project.
GNA
Reporter: Jibril Abdul Mumuni
Email: [email protected]
Edited by Samuel Osei-Frempong