Ho Technical University asked to link up with craftsmen

Justice Jones Dotse, a Supreme Court Judge has charged the Ho Technical University, to create the necessary linkages and interface with craftsmen in various vocations and trades in the Volta Region.

He said that was necessary to revitalise vocational and technical training and small scale enterprise promotion in the Region.

Justice Dotse said this when he delivered the maiden Afeti-Vodzi Lecture instituted by the Ho Technical University to recognise contributions made by the late James Yaovi Vodzi and Dr George Mawusi Afeti, two past heads of the Institution.

It was on the theme: "The legacies of Afeti and Vodzi to technical and vocational education in Ghana: Ho Technical University in perspective."

Justice Dotse said: "Theory informs practice and practice re-enforces theory," and asked the University to work with industrial craftsmen in the fabrication and manufacturing of small scale industrial machines.

He noted that machines such as cassava crushers, oil extracting equipment, automobiles and roofing tiles would be needed in factories to be established by government in districts and urged the University to take advantage of the opportunity.

Justice Dotse said apart from generating income from the collaboration, it would also afford the University a unique experience to interface theoretical learning with practical implementation.

He said the collaboration would fit into the vision and goals of the two honourees and described them as principled personalities who exhibited highest degrees of professionalism.

Justice Dotse observed that while Mr Vodzi set the tone for the transformation of the then Ho Technical Institute into a Polytechnic, Dr Afeti was instrumental in the conversion of the Polytechnic into a Technical University.

Professor Emmanuel Kojo Sakyi, the Interim Vice-Chancellor of the University said the lecture was symbolic and an opportunity to celebrate the two personalities for their meritorious services to the growth of the Institution from an institute to university.

Dr Archibald Yao Letsa, the Regional Minister expressed government's commitment to using technical and vocational education as catalyst for the establishment of factories in the districts.