Tech Entrepreneurship should be the way out - Regional Minister

Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, the Western Regional Minister, has exalted the Takoradi Technical University for upholding quality technical education in the last seven decades.

He indicated that countries that had paid critical attention to TVET had witnessed tremendous growth, scaled up self-employment, and general development, and said that was the main reason the government kept investing in the sector to contribute to growth.

Mr. Darko-Mensah was speaking at the 70th-anniversary celebration under the theme: “70 Years of Societal Relevance; Projecting Excellence and Innovation in Technical and Vocational Education and Training.”

He said technical education must be more entrepreneurial in approach, with the mindset of students graduating to create jobs in the various value chains rather than waiting on scanty formal sector employment opportunities.

The 18 million adult population of the country has only 2.1 per cent in formal jobs, making skills acquisition and application a critical tool to halt poverty and ensure proper self-actualization and development.

The minister said though the government had placed over one million people in the formal sector, the boldness for Ghanaians to venture into businesses with grit would be the greatest game changer in these times.

“And we need the TTU to create the next generation of business-minded people of the right sort to turn our economy around,” he added.

Dr. Robert Adjaye, Member of Council who represented the Chairperson of the University Council, said technical universities must also create a generation of change-makers.

He said the University Council would continue to provide strategic direction to position TTU as a leader in the technical education sector, with commitment to research, innovation, as well as linkages with local and international institutions.

The university was advancing equal opportunities for all: inclusivity and diversity, integrity, and respect.

Dr. Adjaye added that “the Council prioritises leadership development as a model of excellence in technical education in Ghana…Our future is premised on a solid foundation of excellence, innovative technologies, and strengthened partnerships.”

Professor John Frank Eshun, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, said the seven decades of excellence, societal relevance, and transformation proved to be an incredible journey of the institution—one that had transitioned from its humble beginnings to a leading Technical University.

The TTU had been a beacon of hope and progress, shaping lives and contributing immensely to national development through education, research, and innovation.

The VC added that the institution had consistently aligned itself with the needs of society, producing graduates equipped to meet the demands of industry and the ever-evolving global landscape.

The strategy had served as a roadmap for institutional development and had seen significant milestones being achieved across all facets of the university: infrastructure development, health and wellness, establishment of new faculties—the Faculty of Health and Allied Sciences, the Faculty of Maritime and Nautical Studies, and the Faculty of Media Technology and Liberal Studies—adding to the existing faculties.

The university currently offers a range of Bachelor of Technology (BTech) and Master of Technology (MTech) programmes. “We are in the process of introducing PhD programmes in Business Analytics and Technology Management to expand our academic portfolio.”

The TTU emerged as the winner of the Petroleum National Schlumberger PetroChallenge Competition, surpassing nine other Ghanaian universities, including the University of Ghana, the University of Mines and Technology, KNUST, and the University of Cape Coast.

The university also secured the position of second runner-up in the recent National Statistical Data Hackathon competition and took home 14 gold, nine silver, and four bronze medals in various disciplines, topping the medal table at the GHATUSA 2022 Games.

“We aim to position ourselves as a hub for innovation, attracting both local and international students while fostering a culture of excellence and inclusivity.

This ambitious vision requires the collective efforts of us all—faculty, staff, students, and most importantly, our alumni,” the VC added.

Professor Humphrey Danso, Head of Graduate Studies at Appiah Minka University, lauded the contributions of the dedicated faculty to its growth.

He urged faculty to take their research work seriously but not at the expense of lecturing.

Professor Danso also advised the university to develop a calendar that tracked and checked their continual progress, bearing in mind critical thinking and appreciative leadership.