The Director of International Programmes at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Kumasi, Dr. Joseph Offei Darko has blamed Africa’s continuous struggle for socio-economic development and technological advancement on the political leaders’ negative attitude towards vocational and technical education. According to him, it remains a fact that it is vocational and technical graduates who provide the needed support for scientists and engineers in producing, designing and maintaining machines and materials towards national development.
Dr. Offei Darko was speaking at the graduation of 77 students of the Ramseyer Vocational Institute at Kyirapatre in Kumasi. The graduants passed out after three years training in catering, designing, carpentry, block laying and concreting.
Dr. Offei Darko noted that Ghana’s first president envisioned the key role that vocational and technical education will play in propelling the country’s development that is why he placed premium on that sector by establishing KNUST and several other technical-based schools. He urged African leaders to prioritize the quality and financing of technical, vocational and agricultural education to enable the sector to offer a credible alternative to the Arts and Humanities.
The Principal of the Institute, Emmanuel Appiah, said the school has so far produced 1,786 youth with high quality technical and vocational skills since its establishment in l976 by the Presbyterian Church. This, he noted, has helped in averting and reducing anti-social vices. Mr. Appiah said the Institute’s Board of Governors has given approval for the introduction of advance courses in catering and other subjects in September.
He appealed to government to take up payment of salaries of instructors of the Institute to enable it to retain its staff. All the trainees were given basic tools and equipment to begin their businesses.
