A former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Education, Winneba, (UEW), Professor JophusAnamuah-Mensah, has lamented over the failure of the country’s educational system to produce skilled and employable workforce.
According to him, skilled workers, supported by machinery and equipment, were critical for the production of goods and services for the citizens of the country to spur national development.
Prof Anamuah-Mensah, who is the Principal of the Gracehill School of Technology (GHIST) at Ankaful, said developed countries across the globe focused on developing skilled workers which had helped in sustaining their economies.
Speaking at the 28th graduation ceremony of GraceHill School of Technology (GHIST) at Ankaful in the Central Region over the weekend, Prof.Anamuah-Mensah noted that, it was time Ghana reviewed its educational policies to focus on developing skilled and employable to further the country’s development.
On the theme, “Making Skill Training the Centerpiece for Employment”, the event saw 27 students graduate in various skills including cosmetology, Catering, Barbering, Pedicure and Manicure, Cookery, Cake Design, Hair Styling, Makeup and balloon and Décor.
The Principal said, in the current modern world, skilled training could not be jeopardised because such skills were necessary for development and urged Ghana to embrace skilled training to bring progress and development to the country.
The School, he noted, had so far trained more than 600 skilled graduates who were mostly self-employed while others worked in hotels, restaurants and well-esteemed institutions across the country.
He said the School was opened 14 years ago to equip both young and the old Ghanaians with adequate skills for their entrepreneurial career.
Prof.Anamuah-Mensah said the School was in the process of improving facilities to become a Technical and Vocational Centre of Excellence where master crafts persons and apprentices would be admitted for skill training.
“Skilled training is very important as we push for the youth to build their entrepreneurial capacities.
If one wants to be on his or her own in terms of career, then it necessary for the individual to get a skill to contribute to Ghana’s industrialisation and economy,” the Principal stated.
He advised the graduands to be professional and build good working practices to enable them succeed in their chosen career.
“To fight your way to the top, you must work extra hard and be professional in all you do. That’s the only way you can succeed and contribute to building society,” Prof.Anamuah-Mensah added.
In a speech read on his behalf, the Director-General of Commission for Technical and Vocational Training, Dr Fred Asamoah said, TVET, when well structured could propel the country’s economic growth.
He said the Commission, with support of the World Bank, would in the coming weeks, commence rolling out a programme to train artisans, master crafts and apprentices to equip them with skills.
He noted that, after the training, the participants would be provided with grants to start their businesses.
FROM DANIEL AMOO, ANKAFUL
