Asantehene pleads for more funding for the polytechnics

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has called on the government to provide more funding to the polytechnics to aid the training of the needed middle level manpower to spearhead the nation’s development.

He said it is time that technical education is aggressively promoted not only to strengthen the human resource base but also create opportunities for self-employment.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu made the call when he received the Rector and Management of the Kumasi Polytechnic to his Manhyia Palace.

He said considering the range of programmes introduced by the polytechnic, the facility should be turned into a Technical University.

He expressed his readiness to help in the acquisition of land for the expansion of the school and the establishment of an industrial hub.

The Asantehene urged management of the polytechnic to ensure team work.

Professor Nicholas Nsowah-Nuamah, the Rector, said the school is in touch with the Finance Ministry to make room for private participation in its industrial hub project.

Private companies could come in to provide buildings under a public-private partnership deal.

The school is working on a-30 acre land at Kuntanase and Pease for its expansion activities.

The polytechnic, he said is making strong technological strides, having invented solar-powered wheel chair, solar cooker, oven and fufu-pounding machine.

Students of the school are also into the manufacture of computers and cellular phones.