Minister tells graduates to venture into business

Deputy Minister in-charge of Tertiary Education, Mr. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has encouraged graduates of the polytechnics to be bold to venture into businesses.

They should strive to create jobs for themselves and others, he said, pointing out that, this was the way forward to tackle the growing unemployment.

The Deputy Minister said this in a speech read for him at the eighth congregation of the Sunyani Polytechnic.

A total of 2,047 students graduated and received Bachelor of Technology degree (Building Technology) and Higher National Diploma in engineering, business and management studies, applied science and technology.

Mr. Ablakwa gave strong indication about the government’s determination to convert the polytechnics into technical universities and said they had been working closely with the German Academic Exchange Services for technical and other support in that direction.

The technical committee put in place to work out the modalities had already finished its job and that all was set to begin the implementation, come September, next year.

He reminded the polytechnic teachers to upgrade themselves to fit into the teaching requirements.

He suggested to the various polytechnics to consider introducing more bachelor of technology programmes to equip their products with skills that would make them self-employed.

Professor Kwadwo T. Djang-Fordjour, the Rector, said the institution had been sponsoring as many of its staff to pursue doctorate degree programmes locally and abroad, to enhance performance.

He said, currently there were 23 of them pursuing such programmes.

The Rector announced the acquisition of 250 acres of land for the establishment of a second campus at Duayaw-Nkwanta to provide space for the increasing student enrolment.

He appealed to the government to give it the financial clearance to replace retiring staff.

Source: GNA