By: Kingsley Nana Buadu
An Economic Development Practitioner, Dr. James Anthony Sackey has stressed the importance of Technical And Vocational Education, saying it is the foundation of every economy and humans .
According to him, technical and vocational education should be seen and considered as the panacea for poverty eradication and be given the necessary attention and support.
Dr. Anthony Sackey espoused this at the 11th graduation and exhibition ceremony of the Biriwa Technical and Vocational Institute at Biriwa in the Central Region.
The theme for the 11th graduation of the institute is “Quality TVET Education: The master key to Eradicate Poverty.”
According to statistics, there are some 2.99 million people living in extreme poverty in Ghana.
Poverty is deemed to be the greatest challenge worldwide, and its eradication is a requirement for sustainable development. But, experts say TVET holds the key to poverty eradication not only in Ghana but worldwide, especially during this 4th industrial revolution.
Since it establishment, Biriwa Technical Institute has lived up to its expectation by training more than 8000 youth with technical and vocational skills.
The 11th graduation ceremony saw a total of 281 students made up of 111 females and 170 males with varied TVET skills ready to face the job market.
Programmes being offered at the Institute include catering and hospitality, leather works, wood works, building and construction, Electricals, fashion, and others.
The Principal of the Institute, ENGR. Samual Kwashie Amegbor, was grateful to the government and all partners for seeing the need to make technical and vocational education also free in Ghana.
According to him, the move has brought a lot of relief to many parents.
He outlined some successes the Institute has chalked and challenges it is currently confronted with following the increase in numbers of the institute.
According to him, the institute needs equipment and more tools, dormitory, and classroom facilities to accommodate the growing number of students following the government’s free TVET programme.
He explained that TVET can not be treated like before following the urgent need for well trained and equipped students who would ensure the needed transformation, the world currently needs, and Ghana shouldn’t be left behind.
The guest speaker for the 11th graduation ceremony is Dr. James Anthony Sackey, an Economic Development Practitioner.
He noted that, TVET holds the key to the transformation of every economy especially during this 4th industrial revolution and urged government to continue to support such institutions with necessary equipment and infrastructural needs to ensure their effectiveness and efficiency. “Technical and Vocational Education is the Foundation of every human” and “It is the foundation if every economy” Dr. Sackey stressed.
Some of the graduates shared with GBCNEWS the initial perception they had about TVET and how excited to have completed now, knowing there are many opportunities out there for them.
There was an exhibition of the Institute activities and a fashion show by the graduates from the fashion department to show their works.
