Dr Prempeh said government remained fully committed to promoting tertiary education as a means of equipping its citizens with the requisite tools vital for national development.

The Minister said this at the inauguration of Governing Councils of Bolgatanga and Wa Polytechnics in Accra.

The Council is responsible for the governance of the Polytechnics by enhancing its vision and facilitating its mission.

The Councils are to determine the strategic direction of the Polytechnics and responsible for the management and administration of finances and properties of the institution.

Among other functions, the Councils are to promote income-generating activities, foster linkages and collaboration with relevant national and international industries and determine the allocation and proper use of its funds.

Dr Prempeh said the two polytechnics have received budgetary allocations from GETFund to address their key challenges.

“As part of efforts to deal with the problem of funding higher education, government has committed itself to the establishment of a research fund for the sole purpose of funding relevant and sector specific research works in addition to the book and research allowances”, he said.

He said a draft bill for the establishment of the research fund was near completion and consultations for stakeholder inputs into the bill are currently underway.

The Minister said government places emphasis on the continuous linkages of academia with industry and the world of work to ensure curriculum relevance and reduce graduate unemployment.

He admonished them to work diligently to justify the confidence reposed in them by President Akufo-Addo, saying he will follow up on their work and progress with keen interest.

Professor Daniel Bagah, Chairman of the Governing Council for Wa Polytechnic, thanked the President for the confidence reposed in them and pledged to work hard to address the challenges of the institution.

The Polytechnics Law (Act 745) gives mandate to the Polytechnics to provide tertiary education in the fields of manufacturing, commerce, science, technology and provide opportunities for skills development, applied research and publication of research findings.

The Governing Council for Wa Polytechnic are Prof Emmanuel Marfo-Owusu, Rector Wa Polytechnic, Dr Alberta Bondzi-Simpson, Government Nominee, Mr Daniel Adonu, Ministry of Education, Mr Iddrisu Ngmenipuo Mohammed, Convocation and Mr Joachim Zumankyere, Teachers and Educational Workers Union.

Others are Mr Felix Mustapha Nantogma, Polytechnic Administrators Association, Mr Iddrisu Bamie Mubashi Ahmed, Polytechnic Teachers Association, Mr Amoah Ayinbila Pasmond, Polytechnic Student Representative Council and Mr John Okine Yamoah, Ghana Employers Association.

The rest are Mr Freeman Abramani, Association of Ghana Industries, Ing Mathew Adombire, Professional Body and Mr Abdulai Eliasu from Polytechnic’s Alumni Association.

The Governing Council for Bolgatanga Polytechnic are Prof Francis Atindaana Abantanga, Chairman, Dr Mba Atinga, Rector, Bolgatanga Polytechnic, Madam Alfredina Zebto Kuupole, Government Nominee, Dr Christian Koramoah, Ministry of Education, Mr Mathew Kwabena Valogo, Convocation and Mr Apasiya Alias Ayinbila, Teachers and Educational Workers Union.

Others are Mrs Saabon Lariba Felicia, Polytechnic Teachers Association, Mr Emmanuel Akanpaadgi, Polytechnic Teachers Association, Mr Fusseini Ayamba, Polytechnic SRC and Mr Freeman Abramani, Ghana Employers Association.

The rest are Alhaji Fusheini Seidu, Association of Ghana Industries, Dr Stephen Turkson, Professional Body and Mr Adama Muntala, Polytechnic’s Alumni Association.

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Source: GNA

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This upgrade followed a re-assessment report submitted on the Cape Coast and Tamale Polytechnics.

A statement signed by the Minister of Education, Professor Jane Naana Opoku Agyeman, indicated that this upgrade was “based on the expert panel’s initial assessment of all ten polytechnic. The six polytechnics that met the criteria will be upgraded to Technical Universities by end of September, 2016.”

Initial outcry from Cape Coast, Tamale

The Cape Coast and Tamale Polytechnics initially did not meet the 16 point criteria laid down for qualification for conversion, which assessed the varying levels of infrastructure and capacity.

After missing out, the two institutions came out to accuse government of masterminding to get them out of the conversion.

The Tamale Polytechnic Chapter of the Polytechnic Teachers Association of Ghana (POTAG), went as far as giving government up to September 2016, to convert the Tamale Polytechnic into a technical university.

President John Mahama later revealed that, the outstanding issues that hindered the conversion of the Cape Coast and Tamale Polytechnics into technical Universities had been resolved.

Polytechnic conversions

The conversions of polytechnics into technical universities was one of President John Mahama’s manifesto promises ahead of the 2012 general elections.

According to government, the purpose of the conversion into technical universities is to bridge the gap between academia and industry.

A technical committee on the conversion of polytechnics to technical universities, announced its decision to convert all polytechnics into technical universities beginning 2016.

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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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