GNUTS holds annual delegates congress in Tamale

The Ghana National Union of Polytechnics and Technical Universities is currently holding it's 26th annual delegates Congress to elect members who will steer the affairs of the union.

The Congress which is taking place at the Tamale Technical University is made up of 150 delegates drawn from the various Polytechnics and Technical Universities across the Country.

In an interview with Savannanews24, the National President of the Union, Mr. Mohammed Kamaldeen indicated that, the Congress is meant to fulfil a requirement of the union.

He stated that, the theme for the Congress is " Conversion of Polytechnics to Technical Universities and the challenges so far".

The National GNUPTS President commended the Government for the conversion of the various polytechnics into university status as laudable. He however expressed worry over attempts by Government to ammend some sections of the Act that established the Technical Universities and Polytechnics in the country which will limit the powers of the Councils in the Polytechnics.

Mr. Kamaldeen disclosed that, this amendments will give power to the National Council on Tertiary Education (NCTE) which will means decisions cannot be taking at the various Polytechnics by their respective councils which is worrying.
On employment opportunities for Polytechnic graduates, the Union President called on Government and other Organisations to consider HND holders when recruiting instead of concentrating on only degree holders.
He also called on the Government to support the various Technical Universities as they lack resources.

The Coordinating Secretary of GNUPTS, Mr. Abdul Rahman Ibrahim called on the Government to prioritise technical education in the country as this will go a long way to help in the development of the Country.

According to him, the conversion of the Polytechnics in the country to Technical Universities is only a name as most of the Technical Universities lack essential infrastructure.

The GNUPTS Coordinating Secretary mentioned that, laboratories and lecture halls in the universities are not in good shape and therefore urged governments to address the issue attention.