Govt urged to support technical education

Abura Asuansi (C/R) April 1, GNA - A former Acting Director General of the Ghana Education Service (GES) Mr John Budu-Smith on Wednesday appealed to the government to give technical and vocational education more support and orientation, to enable the youth to develop their skills to effectively participate in the emerging global market economy. He said this would ensure that they create wealth for themselves and the country, stressing that "our goal as a country should be to build a highly skilled workforce to support every sector of the economy."

Mr Budu-Smith made the appeal at the open-day of the Asuansi Technical Institute at Asuansi, in the Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese District, under the theme: "Technical Vocational Education - The answer to poverty alleviation."

He, however, pointed out that unlike general academic work, funding technical vocational education was very expensive, and could not be borne by the government alone and appealed to communities, district assemblies and industries for support.

He advised the students to appreciate and avail themselves of the opportunities being offered by the Institute and to be serious with their training to enable them to contribute their share towards poverty alleviation after graduation. Mr Budu-Smith congratulated the board of governors, the Parent Teacher Association and the staff for their contribution in running the institute.

In his annual report, the Principal, Mr Wilfred Albert Davidson, said 103 out of 169 candidates presented for the Intermediate City and Guilds Examination (Ghana) passed in all the 3 components and 157 passed in two components in 2002/2003 academic year. He appealed for the early release of government absorbed fees, monies being paid as scholarships from the scholarship secretariat, as well as the prompt payment of school fees by parents, to facilitate the smooth running of the Institute.