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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
Minister of Health appeals to Tamale Teaching Hospital striking doctors
The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has appealed to the striking doctors at the Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH) to calll off the suspension and come to the negotiation table.
However, he refused to apologise as demanded by the striking doctors.
The doctors after a meeting yesterday have withdrawn emergency services following the dismissal of the Chief Executive Officer of the hospital.
This follows an unannounced visit to the hospital by the Minister on Tuesday.
The Minister made the appeal when addressing the media in Accra on Today, April 24 2025.
According to him, dialogue is the only way out to resolve the issue, adding that he was ready collaborate with them.
“I am prepared for us to come around the table and discuss whatever we need to discuss,” Mr Akandoh said.
“My humble appeal to my wonderful medical doctors and health professionals at Tamale Teaching Hospital is that I am the first person to take care of your interests. Therefore, let’s call off the strike and let’s all regroup and strategise going forward,” he concluded.
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Health Minister donates medical equipment to Tamale Teaching Hospital, pledges commitment to reforms
The Minister for Health Kwabena Miintah Akandoh has reiterated government’s commitment to address long-standing challenges in the health sector, describing the health system as one that requires urgent reform and collective responsibility.
He made these remarks during a donation of some essential medical equipment and supplies to the Tamale Teaching Hospital on behalf of the Ministry of Health.
The donation included a wide range of equipment such as ECG machines, ICU ventilators, cardiac monitors, anesthesia machines, infant incubators, and essential
Consumables amounting to about 35 items.
Among the items highlighted were
Emergency Health Equipment (EHE) sets, nebulizer sets, and medical-grade towels.
The Health Minister acknowledged the difficult working conditions health professionals continue to endure and emphasized that government efforts alone would not be enough to resolve systemic issues.
He called for unity across the health sector and urged all stakeholders, including medical doctors, nurses, and pharmacists, to work together to ensure that the country’s limited resources are used efficiently.
He noted that the wellbeing of the ordinary Ghanaian should be central to healthcare delivery, cautioning against practices that marginalize the underprivileged due to resource scarcity. According to him, every Ghanaian life is valuable, and the system must reflect that belief in both policy and practice.
Mr.Akandoh stressed that his leadership approach is rooted in humility, collaboration, and respect for all health workers. While acknowledging that change may come with challenges, he maintained that cooperation is key to achieving lasting improvements in the sector.
The Minister pleaded with health professionals in the Tamale Teaching Hospital to call off the strike and regroup to strategize on more effective ways to address their concerns through dialogue and collaboration with relevant authorities.
The donation to the Tamale Teaching Hospital forms part of a broader national initiative to modernize medical infrastructure and enhance service delivery in Ghana’s healthcare.
