President Mahama asks graduates to set up own businesses
President John Mahama has advised graduates of polytechnic institutions to seize the opportunities offered by Government to go into private businesses.
“I encourage you to seriously consider setting up your own businesses no matter how small so that you can become employers and entrepreneurs ready to climb the economic ladder to its apex.”
These were contained in his address delivered to the 13th Congregation of Ho Polytechnic by Professor Nana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, Minister of Education at the weekend.
A total of 1,079 students were awarded Bachelor of Technology in Automobile Engineering and Agriculture Engineering and Higher National Diplomas.
President Mahama reminded the graduates that their successes and abilities to climb to greater social positions would require the application of their academic education, moral uprightness, focus and strive towards excellence.
He said, having successfully put all polytechnic staff on the single spine salary, government expected them to be highly motivated to train better equipped middle level manpower for the country.
Professor Opoku-Agyemang on her part implored tertiary institutions to research into graduate unemployment in the country, saying “we are producing the graduates.”
She said graduate unemployment often ascribed to rapid technological development had become a bother globally.
Professor Opoku-Agyemang said the unemployment problem had therefore been at the centre of all global forums such as the United Nations Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
Dr. J. V. K. Afun, Rector of the Polytechnic said, “As we think of producing the better skilled graduates, thoughts should also be given to those who are baking them (the teachers).”
He said the teachers must themselves be equipped with the latest technology and information to synchronize teaching and learning.
Dr. Afun explained that it was for this reason that the Conference of Rectors of Polytechnics (CORP) Ghana recommended industrial attachment for its teachers as well.
Source: GNA