That, he explained, was because of the fast-growing complexity confronted by an increasing number of socio-economic and political challenges both at the local and global levels.

He said if that was done, students would pursue programmes in critical fields of study that were geared towards a solid foundation to address challenges.

The minister stated this in a speech read on his behalf by his Deputy in charge of TVET, Gifty Twum Ampofo, at the 19th congregation of the Koforidua Technical University (KTU) in the Eastern Regional capital.

In all, 2,241 students who pursued courses at degree and diploma levels in the various disciplines successfully graduated.

Out of the figure, 564 students were awarded Bachelor of Technology degrees, while 1,677 received Higher National Diploma certificates.

Classifications 

For the Bachelor of Technology graduates, 66 students earned First Class honours, while 120 HND graduates also had First Class honours.

A total of 338 Bachelor of Technology students attained Second Class (Upper Division), 158 Second Class (Lower Division) with two students awarded passes.

In respect of HND graduates, 1,288 students had Second Class (Lower Division) and 18 earned passes.

Fastest growing 

Dr Adutwum said because the government had taken special interest in Technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVET), especially in technical universities, it had resourced and put up facilities in those universities.

The technical universities, he indicated, should incorporate, especially programmes that were exclusive to them and not offered in many countries in Africa and explained that it would serve as a major source of income for the various institutions.

GTE Ratio

On the Gross Tertiary Enrolments Ratio (GTER), Dr Adutwum said Ghana had been steadily increasing and that currently, it stood at 28 per cent, a significant improvement from 18.84 per cent last year.

He said Ghana was making steady progress towards its goal of reaching a GTER of 40 per cent by 2030.

With regard to the development of the country, Dr Adutwum said tertiary education played a vital role and that studies had shown that workers with some form of tertiary education contributed to about 60 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in developed nations.

It was, therefore, imperative for Ghana to strive to achieve a GTER of at least 40 per cent to improve the country’s overall development.

History 

The Vice-Chancellor of the KTU, Professor David Kofi Essumang, said the university had since its establishment in 1997 witnessed a significant growth in the number of students offering Bachelor of Technology and HND programmes.

He said the university had a student population of 8,389 out of which 2,735 were offering Bachelor of Technology programmes, 5,041 offering HND courses and 613 pursuing non- HND professional and technical courses, all spread over five faculties.

Projects 

Professor Essumang mentioned other sectors of the university such as staff strength, residential accommodation for staff and students, staff development and said in the 2023 approved budget, the government allocated GH¢12,152,113 for developmental projects and academic facilities.

The Chairman of the University Council, Professor Samuel Obeng Apori, for his part, urged the graduates not to discriminate against anybody based on religion, ethnicity, socio-cultural and socio-economic or political affiliation, as they entered the world of work.