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ATU inaugurates two training centres
• Dr. Collins Owusu Kwaning [right] briefing Prof Nii Odai and others at the TV studio
Prepared to give practical meaning to its role as the pace-setter in technical education in the country, the Accra Technical University has inaugurated a Certified Electrical Wiring Professional Training Centre (CEWPTC) and a Television Studio.
Prof Nii Odai and others at the TV studio
The inauguration of the two training centres in the university will afford students to have practical knowledge at the centres and enable them to become proficient in their trades.
The Vice-Chancellor of ATU Prof Samuel Nii Odai in his address, said though it had been a long journey, he was happy to witness the inauguration of the two centres which would aid in the training of qualified professionals.
As a technical university, “We have to focus on doing things with our hands,” he said.
“You must take advantage of the training centres to become prominent engineers and good broadcasters who will provide quality works and programmes for Ghanains. This is a privilege for which you ought to be proud of,” he said.
He urged the students to leave the university with the appropriate certificate, adding that the Ghana Electrical Contractors Association and other stakeholders were ready to lend their support so far as training in the centres were concerned.
He said ATU would like to liaise with the media houses for attachment programmes in order to raise a generation of efficient and qualified professionals.
He tasked the two centres not to focus only on training members of the public but include the students.
Prof Samuel Nii Odai asked the students to take advantage of acquiring multiple qualifications to enable them to become proficient in the job market.
The President of Ghana Electrical Contractors Association, Mr Awal Zakib Mohammed bemoaned the fact that adequate skills development was fast depleting in the country, hence the need to address it by establishing skill training centres to help produce qualified professionals.
He said it was not enough to produce graduates in a particular field but those who were equipped with the requisite practical skills.
The Head Of Department(HOD),Liberal Studies & Communication, Dr Collins Owusu Kwaning said the inauguration of the studio was an innovative way to eqip the students with the requisite skills which they would use in the field of work.
He said the studio would be used in running short courses to enrich skills development and to rake in the needed Internally Generated Funds (IDF).
He said the Studio would also engage in online streaming to uplift the image of the university among others.
The Head of Electrical and Electronic Engineering(HOD), Dr Stephen Bani said the centre would provide hands-on- training for the students.
He explained that as a Competency-Based -Training Centre, it would help the students to translate the theories they have learnt into practice.
Earlier, the executives of the Public Relations Association, ATU Chapter were inaugurated.
By Raymond Kyekye
News
ICU holds Greater Accra regional youth, women confab
The Industrial and Commercial Workers Union (ICU) on Friday held the Greater Accra Regional Youth and Women’s Conference to build a strategic network.
The conference which brought together representatives of the Union was a great opportunity for ICU Ghana to make its voice heard on policies that were crucial to the development of the country.
The platform was also used to elect new officers for the Greater Accra Branch of The ICU Ghana to mark its 12th National Quadrennial Conference in August.
The General Secretary of the ICU Ghana, Mr Morgan Ayawine, called on government to assist the two state-owned media organisation, New Times Corporation (NTC), publishers of The Spectator and The Ghanaian Times newspapers and Graphic Communication Group Limited (GCGL).
“The two state-owned media played major roles in disseminating government policies, educating, entertaining and informing the public of the happenings in the world,” he added.
He said ICU Ghana would also raise issues about the recapitalisation of the two organisations with the sector minister.
Mr Ayawine disclosed that the ADB and NIB banks were also going through the same ordeal but government intervened and urged government to do same for the two state-owned organisations.
He stressed on equal partnership between unions and employers, saying the capital and labour were crucial to create, produce and generate funds.
The General Secretary advised the various branches of the association to suggest solutions on socio-economic issues such as employment for discussions.
The newly-elected members who were sworn in by the General Secretary, Mr Morgan Ayawine includes Belinda Cochrane-chairman, Eric Ekow Turkson-Vice chairman and Moses Kwaku Otoo-Secretary.
Others were Charles Akomea-Financial Secretary, Charles Biden- Executive Member, Diana Asiedu-Women’s Representative and Samuella A. Brago-Youth Representative.
The chairman of the Greater Accra Branch of the ICU Ghana, Belinda Cochrane thanked the leadership for contributing to the success of the union.
She added that the conference was to prepare for the 12th National Quadrennial Conference and also to take stock of the activities of the branch for the past years and discuss issues on the ground.
News
Minister for Health holds emergency stakeholder meeting with principals and directors of Health Training Institutions
In a proactive move to strengthen collaboration within the health sector, the Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has convened an emergency meeting with the Conference of Heads of Health Training Institutions (COHHETI) across the country.
The meeting aimed to deepen engagement between the Ministry and key stakeholders responsible for training health professionals.
The session provided a platform for open dialogue on the challenges facing health training institutions, the quality of healthcare education, and the strategic direction of human resource development in the sector.
Addressing the stakeholders, Mr. Akandoh emphasized the importance of fostering strong and cordial relationships between the Ministry and training institutions to ensure a well-coordinated and responsive healthcare system.
He indicated that the purpose of the meeting was also to collaborate, discuss concerns, and find practical solutions that would benefit not only the institutions but also the Ghanaian people who rely on the healthcare system.
The President of COHHETI, Madam Margaret Mary Alacoque welcomed the initiative, describing it as timely and necessary. She raised concerns about transportation challenges, accreditation delays, staffing shortages, and the general conditions and status of service for Health Training Institutions (HTIs). She also shared innovative strategies that some institutions have adopted to improve training outcomes.
In his response, Mr.Akandoh assured participants of the Ministry’s commitment to addressing their concerns and announced plans to enhance coordination and follow-ups.
He added that the Ministry would soon introduce policy reforms aimed at improving standards in health education and ensuring alignment with national health priorities.
These reforms include reducing the cost of admission, implementing automatic code generation for applicants, and clarifying leadership roles within HTIs.
