Assist graduates with needed capital- Prof. Djang–Fordjour
Professor Kwasi T. Djang–Fordjour, Rector of the Sunyani Polytechnic, has called on Small Business Administrations and Entrepreneurship centres (SBAE) in all Polytechnics to assist fresh graduate entrepreneurs with the needed capital to start their own business.
He said these centres when established will empower the new graduates with the necessary practical skills since the formal sector is not expanding enough to employ young graduates.
Speaking at the fifth congregation of the Sunyani Polytechnic, Prof. Djang-Fordjour said the centres should be managed jointly by the polytechnics, industry and Ministry of Employment and Social Welfare.
A total of 2,698 graduates of the Polytechnic were presented with certificates in Bachelor of Technology (Building) and Higher National Diplomas in Engineering, Applied Science and Technology, Business and Management Studies.
Prof. Djang-Fordjour said the Polytechnic’s access programme for graduates of technical and vocational institutions in Mathematics, English and Science, which were suspended for sometime had been re-introduced in collaboration with the National Board for Professional and Technical Examinations (NABPTEX).
Prof Djang-Fordjour appealed to the graduates of technical and vocational institutions to take advantage of the opportunity to improve on their academic and professional credentials.
He said the Polytechnic had designed tailor-made short courses for workers in the informal sector including artisans, dress–makers, fashion designers and master craft persons saying this would afford such workers the opportunity to acquire theoretical and practical knowledge in order to discharge their duties with maximum efficiency and effectiveness.
He appealed to the government to allow the GETFund to allocate funds for the completion of lecture halls on the polytechnic campus.
Professor Djang-Fordjour also called on the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission to expedite action on addressing the distortions in salaries and the unattractive conditions of service for staff in the polytechnics.
Dr Isaac Kwasi Asomah, Chairman of the Polytechnic’s Council, said the Polytechnics were charged with the responsibility of providing tertiary education in the fields of manufacturing, commerce, science, technology, applied social science, applied arts and any other fields as approved by the sector Ministry, as well as providing opportunities for skills development, applied research and publication of research findings.
He said the Polytechnics are unable to achieve these laudable objectives as outlined due to several challenges like insufficient budgetary allocations among other factors.
Dr Asomah appealed to government to establish a technical institute in Brong Ahafo to feed the polytechnics and to also enable the polytechnics to increase the intake of students in the various departments.
Major Mahama S. Tara (rtd), Chief Director of the Ministry of Education, appealed to Polytechnics to consider introducing full-time tertiary programmes in manufacturing, commerce, science, technology, applied social sciences, applied arts and other areas deemed relevant to the needs of the region.
He said a study conducted by the Ghana Employers Association had revealed that there was a shortage of science professionals and that if Ghana was to overcome the challenges of a modern society, then the country would need to increase the number of students being trained in science related disciplines.
Source: GNA