By Michael Kofi Kenetey
The Vice Chancellor of Koforidua Technical University (KTU), Professor David Kofi Essumang has hinted that the school has adopted a new approach to the teaching of entrepreneurship with the establishment of the Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation Development (CEID).
He added that the establishment of such Centre is to give credence to their motto, “Innovation for Development”.
Professor Essumang noted that the CEID programme places emphasis on technological knowledge and relevant skill development to meet the growing demand for middle- to upper-level manpower in industry and commerce for socio-economic development.
He was speaking during the 19th congregation of the University in Koforidua, the Eastern Regional Capital. Prof. Kofi Essumang also made a passionate appeal to the government to help improve upon the infrastructure challenges confronting the University and help provide the university with enough student accommodation.
Prof. Kofi Essumang reiterated that for the past 26 years, the University has been confronted with an acute infrastructure deficit.
The Deputy Minister of Education in charge of Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) and Member of Parliament for Abuakwa North, Gifty Twum Ampofo, speaking on the theme “The Role of TVET Products in Value Addition to Ghana’s Economic Growth and Development,” noted that TVET, as it is being studied at the Technical Universities, is a move to ensure that industrialisation and self-employment thrive in the country.
Mrs. Twum Ampofo noted that for the past six years, government has retooled technical universities, with KTU not being an exception. She admonished the graduands to take advantage of government’s flagship programmes, such as YOU-START, to establish themselves and make a living.
The Council Chairman of Koforidua Technical University, Professor Samuel Obeng Apori, advised the students to be affable, free, fair, and firm as they enter the world of work. He also advised them to desist from being lawless by involving themselves in illegal activities such as galamsey and logging that would end up destroying the environment.
In all, 2,241 students graduated, with 564 receiving Bachelor of Technology (B-Tech certificates and 1,677 receiving Higher National Diploma (HND certificates. The overall best B-Tech graduating student went to Emanuel Darko, a student of B-Tech Civil Engineering, while Helena Adokor Tagoe, HND Food Technology, had the overall best HND graduating student.
