The World Youth Day which falls on 15th July, 2017 has been designated by the United Nations to generate greater awareness on the importance of skilled youthful population through technical and vocational education and the development of those skills for self-reliance, improved employability as well as enhanced global competitiveness.
The Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (COTVET) in conjunction with Kumasi Technical University opened the celebration of the Day on the 13th July, 2017 which commences a three-day National Exhibition to be climaxed on Saturday 15th July, 2017, the designated day for the celebration of the World Youth Skills Day. The National Skills Exhibition was under the theme “Skills Development to Improve Youth Employment”. The programme attracted a lot of dignitaries including the Ashanti Regional Minister Hon. Simon Osei Mensah, Nana Ampofo Kyei Baffour II Asemhene, and Dr. Fred Asamoah the Executive Director of COTVET. The rest were Regional Directors of Ministries including the Youth and Sports, Roads and Highways, Trade and Industry, Employment and Labour Relations as well as Mr. Kusi Boafo the CEO of Public Sector Reforms. Also present at the opening ceremony were Management members, Deans and Directors of KsTU as well as the Principal and some Senior Members of University of Education Winneba, Kumasi campus.
The Planning Committee Chairman, Rev. Dr. Timothy Crentsil in his opening address, advocated for more of such TVET-related programmes since it helps in showcasing the talents of the youth. He emphasised that such exhibitions are always needed for the TVET institutions and the Technical Universities. He encouraged all to continuously patronise made in Ghana goods as it is one of the reliable ways to encourage local initiatives and create more employment.
The Ashanti Regional Minister, Hon. Simon Osei Mensah, who doubled as the Chairman for the occasion on his part reiterated the need for technical and vocational education in the development of any country. He stressed the need for a complete paradigm shift to TVET-based education which is a dependable avenue to unearth the talents of the youth.
He assured of the government’s commitment to supporting TVET institutions especially the Technical Universities since the government sees them as the engine to drive the agenda for transformation and job creation for the youth. Some of the policies to be introduced according to the Minister include establishment of Youth Enterprise Fund, Youth Development Authority (to harmonise all youth engaged in entrepreneurial activities) as well as tax incentives to companies that hire the services of the youth. He ended by encouraging all and sundry to emulate the shining example of the President’s initiative of wearing made in Ghana goods to ensure their promotion.
The Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Asiamah Yeboah who spoke on the theme “Roles of TVET institutions in preparation of quality and competitive skilled manpower for Ghana’s industrial growth” emphasised the need for the right skills to enhance the prospect of youth in finding and keeping good jobs. He further emphasised the need for overhauling the educational curricular in the first and second cycle institutions to allow skills training to be at the core of all training programmes for students.The institutions that participated in the three-day exhibition with their products included University of Education Winniba, Kumasi Campus – COLTEK- Prekese Bread, Cassava Cake, Mobile App for checking underground storage tanks, Elephant Grass Bed; Departments from KsTU –Fashion- beautiful locally made fabrics; Interior Architecture and Furniture – Agro residues into solid wood; Opoku Ware Girls’ Vocational Education – cake, pastries, beaded slippers; Tetrefu ICCES Technical and Vocational Training Centre – Liquid Soap; Community Development Vocational Technical Institute – tie and dye making, footwear, three switches controlling two different lambs; Methodist Women’ Training Institute – Salon services; Oyska Institute of Cosmetology and Mancell College- Baby’s cot and locally sown dresses.
Picture: Hon. Simon Osei Mensah, the Ashanti Regional Minister delivering his address. Others on the front row are (from left), Dr. Fred Asamoah Executive Director of COTVET, Prof Raynolds Okai (Principal UEW-Kumasi Campus), Prof. Asiamah Yeboah (Ag. V.C of KsTU), Dr.Timothy Crentsil (Planning Committee Chairman of the Youth Skills Day) and Nana Ampofo Kyei Baffour II, Asemhene.
