Universities must not lose focus on their intended purpose -Dr Banda

Mampong (Ash), Sept. 2, GNA - Managers of education and the Ghana Education Service have been asked to ensure that the youth study courses that will enhance their entrepreneurial skills to enable them to employ themselves instead of depending on the State for employment.

Alhaji Dr. Asuma Banda, Chancellor of the University of Education, Winneba, who made the call, advocated that taxes on working inputs and equipment should be waived to facilitate self-employment to help solve the graduate unemployment problem.

He was interacting with the staff of College of Agriculture Education at Asante-Mampong and College of Technology Education, Winneba, Kumasi Campus, all subsidiaries of the University.

It was the first official visit to the campuses since he was appointed Chancellor of the University in February, last year.

Dr Banda, who is also a businessman and industrialist, inspected the crop and animal production as well as the farm implements fabrication unit of the College of Agriculture and new staff bungalows of the College of Technology Education.

He called on the country's universities to focus on the purpose for which they were established and maintain their areas of specialisation.

Dr Banda asked students to specialise in particular areas or skills so that they could be gainfully employed when they are out of school.

He commended lecturers of the University of Education, Winneba, for helping to train quality teachers and advised the lectures to work as a team to improve the quality of education.

The Vice-Chancellor for the University, Professor Akwasi Asabere-Ameyaw, commended Dr Banda for accepting to take up the positions as Chancellor of the University and asked him to support the educational institution to become a world class one.

Prof Asabere-Ameyaw asked the lecturers to work hard and train personnel to ensure quality education delivery in the Country, despite challenges.

The Dean of the College of Agriculture Education, Prof. Kwadwo Djang-Fordjour, called on Government to provide agricultural tools and equipment as well as lecture halls to help train the students.

He also asked Government to help the school construct a fence wall around the College to prevent encroachment of its land.