‘Let’s focus attention on technical, vocational education’
The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) Ghana has called on the government to focus more attention on technical and vocational education and training in order to provide the practical skills needed to sustain the development of the nation.
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While lauding the initiative by the government to build 200 senior high schools (SHS) in the country, the President of IET Ghana, Rev. Eric Ankrah, who made the call, urged the government to allocate a lot more resources and funds to the building of technical and vocational schools across the country for the training of experts in both fields.
He made reference to statements made by the Minister of Finance, Mr Seth Terkper, in the 2015 Budget that the government had allocated funding for the construction of 50 senior high schools (SHS) and the performance of a sod-cutting ceremony by President John Dramani Mahama at Nyanoa in the Upper West Akyem District in the Eastern Region, for the commencement of work on the first batch of 50 community day SHSs. He pointed out that, “While building 200 SHSs, build 50 technical and 50 vocational institutions for the training of experts to support the national economy.”
Induction and AGM
Rev. Ankrah made the call at the end of year conference, induction, and annual general meeting (AGM) of the institution in Accra on Saturday.
Sixty engineers were inducted as consultant engineers, while 80 newly trained members were admitted to the institution.
The theme for this year’s occasion was: “Competency based training; its importance to the national economy.” The event was also used to launch the new website of the institution.
Technical and vocational education relegated
According to Rev. Ankrah, technical and vocational education had been relegated to the background, adding that no nation could develop without paying great attention to technical and vocational education.
He emphasised the need for the recognition of the works and efforts of engineers to the development of Ghana.
Referring to Exodus 31:1-11 in the Holy Bible, Rev. Ankrah stated that the Bible stressed the importance of technical and vocational training to the development of the nation, and stated that God had endowed mankind with so much skills and ability to engage in engineering works.
“God’s plan and pattern for improving the life of mankind is through technical and vocational education and training,” he said.
He emphasised that the government ought to allocate a lot of resources to the training of technical and vocational experts, and also called on Ghanaians to show a lot more interest in technical and vocational education and training.
Professional standards
Administering the oath of office to the members, a High Court Judge, Justice Bright Mensah, urged engineers in the country to adhere to higher professional standards.
He advised members of the engineering profession to use their skills to serve the nation in all capacities for its development.