Polytechnic students tasked to respond to development challenges

Wa, Oct. 12, GNA - Madam Winfred Bawa Dy-Yakah, Deputy Upper West Regional Minister, has tasked polytechnic students to respond to the current developmental challenges in technological advancement and the building of a modern society.

She said polytechnics in the country could be making the desired impact if they run programmes that would provide the required needs of the people to move the developmental agenda of the country. "I urge the polytechnic authorities to come out with strategic programmes that hold the key to the speedy socio economic development of our country."

Madam Dy-Yakah was addressing the 6th Matriculation ceremony of the Wa Polytechnic at in Wa on Saturday. She observed that the spirit of entrepreneurship had been lacking in many polytechnic graduates and appealed to the institutions to address that.

"Our products should be more adventurous and forthcoming to take advantage of all opportunities that are available and also create new ones for themselves and the society. "Polytechnic authorities should be considering the ultimate benefits of the products of their institutions to society, the communities and to the nation as a whole," Madam Dy-Yakah added. She gave the assurance that government would provide tertiary education and the necessary infrastructure and logistics support towards the production of the country's manpower needs. Madam Dy-Yakah noted that despite the enviable infrastructure development level of the Wa Polytechnic, much was still needed to upgrade it. She appealed to all students in the country to spearhead the campaign in the communities to preach peace to the people towards peaceful elections in December. "We are at a critical time and our country has been acclaimed as a beacon of democracy. Let us demonstrate to the whole world that we are capable of overcoming all obstacles to ensure peaceful and fair elections. "Let no one preach violence or incite us against one another. Indeed Ghana is bigger than anyone of us," she advised. Professor S.K. Agodzo, Rector of the Wa Polytechnic, urged the fresh students to acquaint themselves with all regulations governing their stay in the Polytechnic, saying ignorance of regulations would not be accepted as an excuse for any breach of discipline. He advised the students to avoid the use of illicit drugs and also reminded them about the prevalence of HIV/AIDS.