News
Create programmes to deal with global trend – Prof Akakpovi
Applied Science and Technologies and Technical, Vocational and Education Training (TVET) Institutions have been asked to create innovative programmes, short courses, research groups and centres to deal with emerging global and national trends.
They are encouraged to collaborate with relevant industries to find workable Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) programmes on campus.
The Pro-Vice Chancellor of Accra Technical University (ATU), Prof Amevi Akakpovi, who delivered the keynote address at the First Poster and Exhibition Conference on the theme, “Innovative Technologies in Applied Sciences”, at the university, said the world was rapidly changing and technology was the main driver in this regard.
He said Disruptive Technology was a new innovation that had significantly changed the way an existing market or industry operated, adding that though it initially met resistance, they could transform how industry functioned.
Prof Akakpovi listed some of the top disruptive technologies as 3D Printing, 5G and Improved Connectivity, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Automatic and Robotics, Cyber Security Advances , Virtual and Augmented Reality, The Work- From- Home Revolution, Voice –Activated Searches, Internet of Things ( IoT) and Edge Computing.
He said Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning were a method of making a computer-controlled robot, or a software think intelligently like the mind of the human. He disclosed that by 2030, about 50 billion devices would be in use around the world, and this would create a massive web of interconnected devices with the global spending estimated to reach US D 1.1 trillion by the end of this year.
Prof Akakpovi explained that AI was accomplished by studying the patterns of the human brain and by analysing the cognitive process, the outcome of these studies had developed intelligent software and systems.
He said AI had received a lot of commendation in the past and continued to be one of the technology trends because it was known for its superiority in image and speech recognition, navigation apps, smartphone personal assistants, ride-sharing apps among others.
The Pro-Vice Chancellor said the IT was the future and had already enabled devices, home appliances, cars and much more to be connected to and exchange data on the internet.
He said edge computing was a paradigm that brought computation and data storage closer and was expected to improve response times and save bandwidth.
Prof Edmund Ameko, the chairman of the Exhibiting Team also said the Computer Science Department had developed a software which would capture new people in a particular premise and track them with a specific numbers, and another software which could translate a person’s voice into writing.
Mr Johnson Opoku-Boateng, the Director of Business Development Services at the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) and Founder of QA Consult who was the Guest Speaker, called for support for universities to carry out research in technology which would help in the establishment of business incubator among others.
Prof Alice Constance Mensah, the Dean, Faculty of Applied Sciences (ATU), also urged students to develop apps and gadgets which would enable them to develop their own devices to speed up development.
Justice Nyarko, a student in the 3D Printing and Drones Department said the printer was used to manufacture the prototype of any design including human parts to precision, adding that the machine would enable operators to bring their creativity to reality.
By Raymond Kyekye
News
NTC starts New Year with thanksgiving service
Reverend praying for management
The New Times Corporation (NTC), publishers of the Ghanaian Times and The Spectator newspapers on Wednesday held a thanksgiving service to kick-start its operations for the year.
Speaking on the theme ‘The essence of thanksgiving,’ Reverend Joshua Samson Aduamah, Head of the Accra North and South Association of the Ghana Baptist Convention (GBC), urged staff to continue to give thanks to God because he is good and his mercies endure forever.
“God is great because He fights battles we don’t see. We sleep and believe it’s a template for us to wake up,” he said.
Citing Psalm 123:1-4, he explained that “we must emulate the lifestyle of David and the fact that he adores God in every situation.”
The Editor of the Spectator and Acting Managing Director of the Corporation, Mrs Georgina Naa-Maku Quaittoo, thanked staff for their support and immense contribution over the years despite the challenges and urged them to eschew all forms of laziness and adopt professionalism and positive working habits.
According to her, in order to yield positive results, staff must rededicate themselves to responsibilities to achieve greater things.
“There are brighter days ahead; with resilience and hard work we would sail through.”
She further called on government to support the corporation to work to improve its fortunes.
Management and staff of the corporation were led in praises and worship by Mrs Chystable Aduamah, wife of the preacher.
In attendance were the Acting Editor of The Ghanaian Times, Alhaji Abdul Rahman, Acting Marketing Manager, Mr Ofori Addo among others.
By Linda Abrefi Wadie
News
Rise of Prof. Naana Jane Opoku Agyeman A beacon of hope for women
Founder and General Overseer of Kingspride Word Chapel International, Rev. Dr Sam Ayi Ankrah has described the ascension of Prof. Naana Jane Opoku Agyemang to the office of a vice president as a significant recognition and affirmation of women’s capabilities and roles of leadership in society.
According to him, women are a repository of lofty capabilities which remained insufficiently tapped for the benefit of society.
At a consecration service of a 66-year old Joyce Adomako into the office of ‘The Church Mother’ on Sunday, Rev. Dr Ankrah stated that the investiture of the first female vice president highlighted the capabilities and acceptance of women as equals in leadership, challenging the traditional patriarchal norms in the political space.
In a sermon titled: ‘Considering me worthy and appointing me to serve,’ he said that the investiture has also set the tone for greater representation of women in decision-making and leadership at all levels.
He also indicated stated that, the honour reflected a commitment to inclusivity, signaled progress toward gender equity in the political spaces and disproved the beliefs that prohibited women from holding higher leadership positions.
He further stated that her new position symbolised a significant and historic shift in political leadership paradigms, emphasising the promotion of equality and the broader role of women in community building.
That, he advised, the vice president to inspire broader societal change by demonstrating the importance of breaking barriers to leadership for women.
Rev. Dr Ankrah then urged Ms Adomako to use her vast experience and deep knowledge and understanding of life to offer guidance and counseling to the congregation to inspire positivity towards unearthing their abilities for the greater benefit of their communities.
Ms Adomako for her part, also advised women, particularly young women to avail themselves for the tutelage of older generation and take inspiration from the position of the current vice president and other women trailblasers to guide their pursuits.
By Ken Afedzi
