Ing. Dr. Anobaah Ankrah a consultant to Danank Engineering Company Limited has proposed a roundtable discussion between Industry and Technical Universities in the country to diagnose the missing gap in Ghana’s industrial and education sectors fueling high unemployment in the country.
He said with the rapid changes in technology and their potential applications, it has become imperative that active partnerships are fostered to translate to realistically achievable objectives in imparting skills-based training to students to equip them with the requisite industrial skills.
“I will therefore use this opportunity to propose that Industry and Technical Universities converge at a roundtable to discuss the way forward and find pragmatic solutions to the nation’s developmental challenges”.
Ing. Dr. Anobaah Ankrah said this Saturday, September 24, 2022 as guest speaker at the 18th congregation of Koforidua Technical University(KTU) on the theme “Effective Technical University-Industry Collaborations: Key to Development and Possible Job Creation in Ghana”
According to Ing. Dr. Anobaah Ankrah, for Technical Universities to produce scientists and Engineers suitable for the job market, there must be a regular review of the courses and programs offered to enable the students to acquire relevant knowledge, skill, and the right attitude for sustainable development.
“The change in course delivery from the traditional mode to the competency-based approach is, therefore, a welcome paradigm shift to enable the technical university to meet their objectives and to produce adequate human resources needed for the country in particular and the world at large”
He stated that one of the challenges facing Ghana as a developing country is the search for appropriate strategies for harnessing natural human resources to promote reasonable economic growth for the improvement of the living conditions of Ghanaians.
“..The global village is going through the effects of rapid economic and political changes that are taking place all over the world. We as a country therefore need to raise the level of our scientific and technological base to be able to cope with the effect of these.
Ghana’s unemployment rate has hit 1.74 million (13.4 percent) of the total working population of 13 million in the age bracket of 15 years and above, in the first quarter according to Ghana Statistical Service (GSS).
The Vice Chancellor of Koforidua Technical University, Prof David Kofi Essumang said, the university is conscious and responsive to the changing job demands and curriculum dynamics being played out in the sector, therefore, the university is working towards it to enhance the competence of graduates for opportunities in local and international markets.
He listed several engineering programs introduced by the university to the specification of the job market.
The Vice-Chancellor also stated that the University has allocated GHc 45,000 to various departments to undertake applied research activities many have made significant breakthroughs and are impacting society.
“The energy systems Engineering Department in collaboration with JICA has installed a solar device for charging mobile phones, chargeable lamps, and batteries at Mampong Nkwanta. A 50W PV system has also been installed to provide lighting for the basic school in the community. Another solar charging unit has been installed at Asarekwao in the Fanteakwa District in the Eastern region. Construction of a 10-cubic meter biodigester for biogas by the renewable Energy system Engineering Department which provides gas”.
Prof. David Kofi Essumang said despite the strides made, the university is faced with insufficient funds, a lack of staff office space and residential facilities, inadequate library space, and insufficient ICT facilities.
He added that only two-thirds of students live in private-rented buildings within the immediate communities due to woefully inadequate hostel facilities.
A total of 1,692 HND students graduated out of which 146 obtained First Class honors.24 graduands from Auto Engineering graduated with “competent with merit” certificates.
Source: Mybrytnewsroom.com/Obed Ansah
