Anglican University College of Technology Don Protests Against Unbridled Imports

From Michael Boateng, Nkoranza Professor Kwasi Nsiah-Gyabaah, Vice-President of the Anglican University College of Technology at Nkoranza in the Brong Ahafo Region has bemoaned the excessive importation of goods and services into the country.

He has, therefore, reiterated the call on the government to pay high premium on Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) so as to enhance the accelerated economic growth of the country.

Prof. Nsiah-Gyabaah urged lecturers of Technical Institutions to be innovative and lead their students to develop products that would meet local demand and also attract foreign markets as well.

Addressing the staff, students and parents of the Nkoranza Technical Institute during the TVET's week celebration which also coincided with the inauguration of the school's cadet, the Vice-President of Anglican University College of Technology regretted that the country's Technical Institutes cannot boast of anything produced for the local market.

The programme was on the theme "Repositioning the Ghanaian TVET in the 21st Century for effective delivery, the Role of the Government and stakeholders in formal Technical and Vocational Education Training".

Prof. Nsiah-Gyabaah called on the government and leaders of the country to learn from the good practices and efforts of countries such as Korea, Singapore and China where their students from Technical Institutes and Polytechnics produce simple items such as solar flash lights, portable radios, pens and key holders and reposition the Ghanaian TVET to move the country forward.

Madam Stella Amoatemaa, Nkoranza Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), noted that the unique roles played by TVET cannot be over-emphasized since they produce the human resource to operate the country's industries and also construct houses and roads.

She advised parents to enroll their children in Technical and Vocational Institutes and not to underrate them since they offer job opportunities for their products and make the students self-sufficient.

The Principal of the Institute, Mr. Albert Adusei announced that the school which started in 2007 with a student population of 74 comprising of 74 males and three females now has grown up to 481, with 460 males and 21 females.

Mr. Adusei said the main courses offered in the school include "Auto Mechanic, Building Construction, Carpentry and Joinery, Electrical Installation Works and Mechanical Engineering Craft Practice. He added that the School had recently included Agricultural Mechanization and Catering and Hospitality Management to the already existed programmes.

The Principal praised the staff for their collaborative efforts and hard work, saying he had been appreciative of the school's performances at the TVET Examinations in the past three years.