News
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
President John Dramani Mahama has called on Ghanaians to remain united, grateful and prayerful despite the recent floods that claimed lives and destroyed property in parts of Accra.
Speaking at the National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving held at the forecourt of the State House in Accra, the President noted that the nation had gathered not because all its challenges had been solved, but to reflect, give thanks to God and renew its commitment to the country’s development.
He explained that throughout Ghana’s history, the nation had consistently turned to God during both difficult and successful times, describing faith as one of the country’s strongest pillars.
“We gather not as members of different political parties, ethnic groups or religions, but as one people under God,” President Mahama stated.
He encouraged Ghanaians to approach the occasion with grateful hearts, stressing that every blessing the country enjoys comes from God.
Reflecting on the recent floods that devastated parts of Accra, President Mahama acknowledged the pain of families who lost loved ones and property during the disaster.
Despite the tragedy, he urged citizens to draw strength from Scripture, quoting First Epistle to the Thessalonians Chapter 5, Verse 18, which encourages believers to give thanks in all circumstances.
The National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving brought together religious leaders, members of Parliament, the Judiciary, senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, security service chiefs, traditional leaders and other dignitaries to pray for the nation and reflect on its progress and challenges.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Renowned Ghanaian businessman and an indigene of the Upper East Region, Awentami Paul Afoko, has called for the construction of an international airport in the Upper East Region, arguing that it is critical to unlocking the region’s agricultural and export potential.
Addressing stakeholders at the Regional Development Framework validation forum in Bolgatanga, Mr. Afoko said the Upper East Region possesses enormous economic opportunities that can be harnessed through strategic investment in agriculture, infrastructure,, and trade.
“As an entrepreneur, I have learnt that governments do not create businesses; entrepreneurs do. Government’s responsibility is to create the environment within which businesses can thrive,” he said.
He highlighted irrigation projects and commercial farming as key drivers of economic transformation, urging greater investment in year-round production of vegetables, fruits, and flowers for international markets.
“The challenge is not finding buyers. The challenge is producing at sufficient scale throughout the year,” he stated.
Mr. Afoko also called for investment in warehouses, cold-chain facilities, packaging centres and standardized production systems to improve the competitiveness of local products, including shea butter, basket weaving, and textiles.
“We must organise ourselves to produce standardised products and invest in warehouses, cold chains, and packaging so that we become year-round suppliers,” he said.
He stressed that an international airport would significantly boost exports from the region.
“We need an airport urgently so that flowers from the Upper East can reach Europe before Kenyan flowers do. Burkina Faso produces strawberries, and we can do the same,” he remarked.
According to Mr. Afoko, the region’s strategic location also presents opportunities to expand cross-border trade with neighbouring countries through stronger economic diplomacy.
“There is the need for an international airport in the region to enable us to seize export opportunities. Our strategic location also presents enormous opportunities to strengthen border trade,” he added.
He called on the government, diplomats, and development partners to work together to position the Upper East Region as a major agricultural and export hub in West Africa.
By: Jacob Aggrey
