Afeti calls for change in vocational training

Toh-Kpalime(V/R), April 10, GNA- Dr George Afeti, Principal of Ho Polytechnic at the weekend called for a change from theoretical to a practical and result oriented approach in vocational training to facilitate entrepreneurial development and employment generation.

"It is important for all stakeholders, especially district assemblies and local entrepreneurs, to show more commitment towards skills and manpower training and development."

Dr Afeti was speaking at the second open-day celebration of Toh-Kpalime Vocational Training Centre at Toh-Kpalime in the Kpando district. He said vocational education should be re-engineered and strengthened to cater for the large army of unemployed youth who have become disillusioned and frustrated.

Dr Afeti appealed to vocational students and entrepreneurs to be innovative to enable Ghana to attain a middle income status by the year 2020. Madam Akua Dansua, Kpando District Chief Executive called on parents to invest in the education of their wards rather than spending extravagantly on funerals.

She advised students not to drift to big towns and cities in search of non-existing jobs. Mr Abeiku Nkrumah, a representative of the National Vocational Training Institute, asked private vocational schools not to be profit conscious because this would defeat the aim of equipping the youth with employable skills.

Mr Andrews Buachi, manager of the Centre which was established by the people of Toh-Kpalime and the German Development Service, a non-governmental organisation, said it has 187 students training as craftsmen and women.

He called on the people to discard the notion that vocational institutes are for school drop-outs and the never do wells. Mrs Theresa Nyarko-Fofie, Member of Parliament for Nkoranza, urged girls to venture into male dominated professions saying "any nation which does not see female education as important is endangered and will be hopping on one leg."

Among those present include Dr Alex Ababio, MP for South Dayi and Mr Frank Luwdig of the German Development Service. An appeal for funds yielded more than 2.7 million cedis.