A group calling itself the Coalition of the Central Region Youth wants government to add the Cape Coast Polytechnic to the list of Polytechnics to be converted into technical universities.
The group is asking government to immediately begin processes leading to the conversion since every impediment that was hindering it from taking the move has been tackled.
[contextly_sidebar id=”O9alSB7L6jed3IgjBq9RTPNPx0iiZCMt”]The group had what they call a dress rehearsal for their upcoming demonstration on Tuesday morning on the campus.
Speaking to Citi News, the Spokesperson of the Coalition, Richmond Yeboah, said there is no justifiable reason why the Cape Coast Polytechnic should be denied a technical university status among the selected ones.
“Cape coast Polytechnic is ready for conversion and must be converted now. The work that we did was to make sure we get principal teachers in place. As we speak to you, all weaknesses have been identified so there is nothing left to be done.”
“The technical report suggested that Cape Coast Polytechnic, Ho and Tamale are to be for second phase so we don’t understand what polytechnics must be in the first phase without Cape Coast polytechnic because if you read the report, Cape Coast polytechnic’s weakness can be resolved within few months, but Ho Polytechnic needs time but we have overlooked Cape Coast Polytechnic and considered Ho Polytechnic; and we think that it is very unfortunate and we are not ready to accept it. This morning there was a dress rehearsal picketing and we sent a petition to the coordinating council of the polytechnic. Godwilling this week we will be in Cape Coast to demonstrate…”
Why the gradual implementation
The Deputy Minister in-charge of Tertiary education, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, earlier revealed that the first phase of the conversion of polytechnics into technical universities, will take place in September this year, with six polytechnics.
Government has explained that it cannot convert all the polytechnics into a university because a Technical Committee set up to advice it on the conversion, recommended that the exercise must be done progressively to satisfy the requirements of becoming a technical university.
The Minister further clarified that government cannot not just upgrade polytechnics without assessing the varying levels of infrastructure and capacity, hence the need for the implementation of the conversion in phases .
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By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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