The Principal of the College of Technology Education, Kumasi (COLTEK) of the University of Education, Winneba, (UEW) Prof. (Ing.) Reynolds Okai (PhD) has advised Technical Teachers to train their students to use their skills and knowledge to provide solutions to human problems. He bemoaned the situation where Technical Education seemed to be an afterthought for most policy makers, and called on stakeholders to reconsider the development and promotion of Technical Education in the country.

Prof. Okai made the statement when he presented a special address on behalf of the Vice Chancellor of UEW, at an orientation session for the first batch of 150 students for the Diploma in Education, Competency-Based Training (CBT option) programme at COLTEK.

He congratulated the students for being the first beneficiaries of the fully sponsored programme and urged them to take their training seriously. He also appealed to the Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (COTVET) for support to acquire modern equipment for the workshops of the College to enhance effective teaching and learning.

On his part, the Executive Director of COTVET, Mr. Sebastian Deh, disclosed that the CBT programme was a project under COTVET and financed by the African Development Bank (AfDB).

He said the Council embarked on the project to train people to boost the industrialization process in Ghana and the sub-region. He emphasized that there was the need to empower individuals and groups to set up enterprises to transform our economies.

Mr. Deh added that the programme is industry-driven with a reflective approach. He urged the beneficiaries to work hard and think outside the box to become real change agents in the society.

Earlier, the Dean of the Faculty of Education and Communication Sciences, Prof. F.K. Sarfo, in a welcome address assured the students that measures had been put in place to make their stay period on campus convenient for effective studies. He reminded them that their academic work should always be paramount at all times.

The Director of Technical and Vocational Education and Development of the Ghana Education Service (GES) Mr. Augustine Ayirezang, on his part enumerated some of the challenges that Technical Education in the country was going through, such as lack of training equipment and inadequate funding. He was however hopeful that with the introduction of the CBT programme, the situation would improve to transform the economy of the country.

The Chairman for the programme, Dr. Martin Amoah, who is also the Dean of the Faculty of Technical Education, expressed his appreciation to all the parties for the realisation of the project which had been on the drawing board for some time. He was hopeful that the beneficiaries would put in the required enthusiasm to sustain the programme.

He gave highlights of the programme which included sponsorship package of five (5) slots for PhD and twenty (20) Masters degrees.

The orientation programme was attended by the College Registrar, Mr. Michael K. Adu, the Dean of the Faculty of Vocational Education, Mr. Francis Donkor, the Dean of the Faculty of Business Education, Dr. Joseph Mbawuni, Heads of Department and other Senior Members of the University. Also in attendance was the Coordinator, Project Support Unit of COTVET and in charge of AfDB Projects, Ms. Gertrude Addo.