By Emmanuel Mensah-Abludo
The Tamale Technical University (TaTU) has held a special congregation in Wa for 184 workers in the hospitality and tourism industry who were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 184 graduates are the first cohort to be trained at the Wa Training Centre under the Ghana COVID-19 Alleviation and Revitalization of Enterprises and Support (Ghana CARES OBAATANPA) programme.
GBC’s Emmanuel Mensah-Abludo reports that the programme is under the auspices of the Ministries of Finance and Employment and Labour Relations, as well as the Social Partnership Council, in collaboration with TaTU.
Out of the 184 people who graduated, 72 received certificates in Event Management with 64 of them receiving certificates in Food Processing and the remaining 49 getting certificates in Front Office Operations.
The Personal Assistant to the Upper West Regional Minister, Mei-Goro Abdul-Rahaman, who deputised for the Minister, reiterated the critical role of technical and vocational education and training (TVET) in nation-building.
He stated: “Education is critical in the building of cohesive and prosperous Ghana on which we have set our eyes. Our children, and young people must be equipped with knowledge, skills and attitudes that would enable them to compete with the best in the world. Every country that has made rapid and significant progress has placed education at the heart of its development.”
Mr Abdul-Rahaman added that all the transformations we have witnessed the world over we done by entrepreneurs “who don’t fear to get their hands dirty.
The Chairman of the Programme Implementation Committee, Dr Michael Akurugu Brigandine, who wore two hats while also representing the Vice Chancellor of Tamale Technical University, Professor Abass Braimah, charged the recipients of the certificates to utilise them for the benefit of society.
Dr. Brigandi said: “Certificate is like a taxi, it will take you wherever you are going, but what will keep you there is your skills, knowledge, competence, and dedication. Make sure that you also extend the skills you have learnt to your apprentices, to your customers, and then to Mother Ghana as a whole.”
The Valedictorian, Ms. Mu-awia Umu Salwa, described the training they received as not just education but a beacon of hope, a chance to rebuild, and an opportunity to thrive once more in the vibrant field of hospitality and tourism.
