Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu says the Mahama-led government inherited a sinkhole economy that is in distress and needs to be reset and put on track.
He said it is only when this is done that the government would be able to invest in massive infrastructure development in the education sector to erase the deficits, especially in the second cycle schools.
He was speaking at the 72nd-anniversary grand durbar of the Keta Senior High Technical School, in Keta.
“The economy President John Mahama is inheriting is a sinkhole economy in distress that needs to be reset and put on track for him to deliver massive infrastructure support to our educational institution”, he said.
He underscored the urgent need to make available enough infrastructure to ease the deficits due to the huge numbers of students admitted to second-cycle schools as a result of the implementation of the Free Senior High School.
Mr Iddrisu indicated that the government aims to implement a robust information communication and technology program from the kindergarten to the tertiary level.
This he said is targeted at producing technologically inclined human resources to achieve total economic development.
“The President, your President, will introduce digital literacy beginning from kindergarten and send it to tertiary level and make an investment in innovation and technological hub not only in institutions of technical and secondary education but also in institutions of higher learning”, he said.
He acknowledged the challenges of the Keta Senior High Technical School, promising to give “urgent priority” attention to the fence wall project at the girl’s dormitory and sanitary facilities for both boys and girls.
He directed the Ghana Education Service to consider a request by the KETASCO old Students for their alma matter to be upgraded to category A school.
Mr Idrissu appreciated the massive support and contribution of the Volta Region to the National Democratic Congress’ victory, adding that the region would reap its labour.
“Be assured that President John Mahama will honour and reward the people of the Volta Region for standing strong and firm to give him that extraordinary mandate as President of the Republic of Ghana.
“And that will mean, President Mahama will upscale investment in general infrastructure that is desired“, he added.
The Headmaster of KETASCO, Innocent Kwame August, made a special appeal for support to set up a modern ICT Lab after listing the lack of infrastructure and academic logistics as the main challenges of the school.
He outlined insufficient sanitary facilities for boys and girls, the absence of a fence wall around the girls’ dormitory, the absence of dining and assembly halls, inadequate academic logistics and lack of official vehicles as some challenges the school is grappling with.
The Dean of the University of Cape Coast Business School, Professor John Gatsi, stressed the need to invest in producing technologically inclined human resources to help Ghana benefit from the fourth industrial revolution.
He implored the government to invest in enhancing technological education among others to bridge the country’s generational gap.
“Education and training are the best tools to bridge the generational gap occasioned by changes in technology, value systems, politics, and life expectancy.
“Allowing the younger generation to participate in governance at various levels, including the ministerial, cabinet, Council of State, parliament, economic planning, technology, and policy committees, helps to bridge the gap because they prefer involvement over decision-making without them at the table”, he said.
The Volta Regional Minister, James Gunu, assured of an effective collaboration with all stakeholders towards the development of the region.
