Women’s role critical to Africa’s development
The Commonwealth Association of Technical Universities and Polytechnics in Africa (CAPA) is refocusing its attention on women in technology education and development programmes to push the development of Africa.
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This is in recognition that the role of women is critical in achieving the African Development Agenda 2063 and also in meeting the targets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030.
Prof. Smile elected
The Secretary-General of the association, Dr Olubunmi Owoso, hinted the intention of the association when a delegation of the executive members of the association paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Education, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, in Accra.
Consequently, the association has elected the Vice Chancellor of the Koforidua Technical University, Professor (Mrs) Smile Gavua Dzisi, as the Gender Representative for the West African region.
The executive members of the association are in the country to inform the minister about what the association is about and its activities leading to the 40th anniversary of the association, which comes off next year.
Role of Prof Smile
Dr Owoso explained that Prof. Dzisi was elected with the responsibility to review the progress of the association in terms of women in technology education and development programmes.
He said the association reckoned the pivotal role of women in every sector of the economy, especially in youth development and innovation.
“We realise that this is a cardinal pillar of the African Development Agenda 2063.
Commendation
He commended the government of Ghana for its commitment to promote technical education in the country by designating a deputy minister to be in charge of Technical Vocation Education and Training (TVET).
Dr Owoso said the changing dynamics on the continent demanded the training of more skilled technical manpower to stem the growing unemployment among the youth, who preferred the traditional universities to TVET.
He further lauded the government for the conversion of the polytechnics in the country into technical universities as a way to make technical and vocational education more attractive to the youth.
Lack of skilled manpower
Dr Prempeh expressed concern that technical and vocational education on the continent were sidelined, yet there was high demand for skilled manpower to drive the industrial sector of the continent.
He said it was sad that in the whole of Africa, it was only South Africa that had a gold refinery, even though the mineral was in abundance in many countries on the continent.