TVET, cornerstone of Ghana’s economic transformation —Kennedy Agyapong

 A prominent businessman and former Member of Parlia­ment for Assin Central, Mr Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, has called for a national shift to­ward technical and vocational education.

According to him, that forms the cornerstone of Ghana’s eco­nomic transformation.

Speaking as the Special Guest at the Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development (AAMUSTED), Mr Agyapong made a passionate case for hands-on training, risk-taking, and entre­preneurial discipline among the youth.

“The perception that only weak students attend technical and vocational schools is wrong. Those who look down on such in­stitutions have misplaced prior­ities,” he declared to a packed auditorium. “The future of Ghana depends on technical and vocational education (TVET). That’s where the real develop­ment lies.”

Mr Agyapong extended an open invitation to AAMUSTED authori­ties to send students to his steel manufacturing plants for practi­cal training as part of a broad­er initiative to bridge the gap between academia and industry.

His address formed a key highlight of the entrepreneur­ial summit themed “Building Blocks: Pathway to Entrepre­neurial Success,” organised by the university’s Students’ Repre­sentative Council (SRC).

Drawing from personal ex­periences and setbacks, Mr Agyapong urged students to embrace financial prudence, respect for workers, and a relentless drive for quality and innovation.

“Most students graduate and expect office jobs but the world doesn’t work like that. Life is not easy. You must take initia­tive.”

Backing Mr Agyapong’s stance, Nhyieaso MP and former Deputy Finance Minister, Dr Stephen Amoah, lauded the business­man’s leadership qualities and endorsed his political viability.

Addressing the students, Dr Amoah stressed that honesty, integrity, and practical skills are non-negotiable traits for sus­tainable success.

In his remarks, Pro-Vice Chan­cellor Prof. Albert Boateng reaf­firmed AAMUSTED’s commitment to technical, vocational, and entrepreneurial education as a pathway to job creation and industrialisation.

SRC President David Akuetteh Octhere described the summit as a transformative platform for students to gain inspiration and clarity in their career paths.

 FROM KINGSLEY E.HOPE, KUMASI