The Chairman, University Teachers Association Ghana (UTAG) branch of COLTEK, Dr. Stephen Baffuor Adjei, addressing the media
PRESIDENT NANA Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has been lauded for keeping his promise by granting the College of Technology Education, Kumasi (COLTEK) of the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), a full autonomy.
The University Teachers Association Ghana (UTAG) branch of COLTEK, chaired by Dr. Stephen Baffuor Adjei, said the President had indeed demonstrated that he is a man of his words, for which reason they are eternally grateful to him.
Similarly, members of COLTEK-UTAG expressed their appreciation to the Minister of Education, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh aka Napo, the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, and others that played roles to make COLTEK autonomous.
Dr. Adjei said the President’s laudable decision to grant full autonomy to COLTEK and the College of Agriculture (CAGRIC) Education at Mampong truly proves that he values Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
“This move by His Excellency, President Nana Akufo-Addo, is a demonstration of his firm commitment towards the development of TVET in Ghana,” Dr. Adjei stated categorically during a press conference in Kumasi.
According to him, the President had continually stated publicly that his decision to make COLTEK and CAGRIC autonomous institutions formed part of government’s grand agenda to transform TVET education in the country.
“This dream of the President was realized when Parliament passed the Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills and Training and Entrepreneurial Development Bill,” Dr. Adjei said, adding that government had done well so far.
Besides, Dr. Adjei said the elevation of COLTEK and CAGRIC to full-fledged autonomous university to provide higher education in TVET is a giant and historic step taken by government to highlight the relevance of TVET to national development.
He appealed to the President “to exercise his constitutional obligation by appending his signature to the Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development Bill to give it the executive power it deserves to enter into full force within the shortest possible time.”
He said, “COLTEK-UTAG pledges our continued support and commitment to the industrialization agenda of the government. COLTEK and CAGRIC of UEW have kept faith with the mandate of training highly qualified technical and vocational teachers and professionals who currently occupy responsible positions in society”.
FROM I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr., Kumasi