Polytechnic education, answer to Ghana’s human resource need - Rector

Dr Victor Jakpasu Afun, Rector of the Ho Polytechnic has again cited polytechnic education as the answer to Ghana’s need for the practically oriented and self-motivated workforce to prosecute its development agenda.

He said against the backdrop of high unemployment in the country, a job seeker with a polytechnic certificate was “five times more likely to be employed…than those with others”.

Dr Afun said the product of a polytechnic was also “10 times more likely to set up his own establishment and be the CEO than the others”.

He was addressing the 20th (2012/2013) matriculation ceremony of the Ho Polytechnic in Ho on Saturday.

A total of 2,259 are offered admission with 82 per cent in the tertiary category and 18 percent in the non-tertiary category.

Dr Afun told the matriculating students to cast off any uncertainty and negative feeling they had about polytechnic education and that “they are at the right place at the right time”.

He said academic progression through the polytechnic was also fluid, especially now that government had promised to expand facilities at the polytechnics.

Dr Afun observed that certificates did not matter as what one could use his or her head, heart and hand to do after acquisition of the certificates.

“In Ghana today we need young men and women who have critical and analytical minds and think three dimensionally and are practically oriented.

“These are the agents of change who can change our country from dependence to independence,” the Rector stated.

He said the polytechnic would not countenance indiscipline, fighting, assault, unruly behaviours, excessive noise making, provocative dressing, drug use and sexual assault.

“Even though lectures do not appear to be compulsory, anyone who absents himself of herself for 14 consecutive days will be barred from writing the end of semester exams,” he stated.

The faculties into which the students were matriculated are Applied Sciences and Technology, Art and Design, Business and Management Studies and Engineering.

The students took the matriculation oath and declaration of obedience, which enjoined them from many things, including “cheating during examinations”.