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The investiture of Dr Felix Kwame Kumedzro as the 13th Principal of Akatsi College of Education in the Volta Region, has been held at the college. It was held at the College’s long hall on Friday, February 14, during the congregation of the 2022/2023 batch of graduands, who offered a four-year Bachelor of Education Degree programme
The event, on the theme: “Transforming Technical and Vocational Education in Ghana: The Role of Technical Colleges of Education,” had a total of 362 students graduating, comprising 105 students for Upper Primary and 265 JHS Education categories, respectively. The new Principal stated his preparedness to position the College as one of the best teacher training institutions in the country for the advancement in quality teacher education delivery towards sustainable, national, and global development. “As a country, we need to prioritise technical and vocational education at all levels of education. This will make it possible for the nation to achieve sustainable development,” he said.
Dr Kumedzro, however, acknowledged the government’s efforts in re-tooling the various technical and vocational schools across the country, but indicated that re-building such schools without considering the Technical Colleges of Education to “train technical teachers could be a gap in our efforts to develop technical and vocational education.” He highlighted several achievements chalked by the College within the academic and non-academic spaces over the years, including the acquisition of new academic gowns, the donation of a new bus, the re-accreditation of the College, and others.
The challenges, Dr Kumedzro enumerated, ranged from the lack of health facilities, infrastructure, ICT, inadequate furniture, and limited space for expansion, and appealed to all stakeholders to come together to work towards upgrading the College to a fully-fledged University College of Education. Professor Ahmed Jinapor Abdulai, Director-General of the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), who chaired the event, paid glowing tribute and honour to former Principals of the College for their selflessness, commitment, and dedication in bringing the College thus far.
He expressed the hope that Dr Kumedzro would steer the affairs of the College for the next four years by providing the much-needed leadership aimed at consolidating past gains as well as positioning the College to advance its mandate as a teacher training institution. “GTEC have high expectations of the new Principal to serve as the driving force to galvanise management, faculty, and staff to unite towards a common goal of making Akatsi College of Education one of the most attractive institutions of higher learning, not just in the Volta region but the totality of Ghana as a whole.”
On the appointment and promotion criteria for faculty and staff based on the new education reform, Prof Jinapor assured affected staff that all legitimate concerns emanating from the migration process would be addressed. Prof Isaac Boateng, the Pro Vice-Chancellor of Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development, guest speaker for the event, said TVET transformation remained a crucial step in adapting to the rapidly changing job market, technological advancements, and the increasing demand for specialized skills.
The other speakers at the event advised the graduating students to appreciate and implement the core values of the noble profession which included honesty, integrity, and creativity. The colourful joint ceremony, saw cultural performances and was well attended by members of the past governing council, the convocation, traditional leaders from the Avenor Traditional Council, people from the academia, education Directors, the clergy, as well as family and friends.
Out of the total number, 47 had First Class Honours, 216 had Second Class Upper, 82 had Second Class Lower Division, 14 had Third Class, and a student recorded Pass. Certificates and awards were presented to deserving students. Dr Kumedzro is a distinguished scholar of international repute with significant academic and leadership credentials to his credit.
Until his appointment, he was a senior lecturer at the College of Distance Education, University of Cape Coast, and holds Doctor of Philosophy (M.Phil) degrees in Special Needs Education from Kenyatta University, Kenya, and the University of Cape Coast, respectively. He also possess a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) degree in Educational Psychology from the University of Cape Coast and a certificate in leadership Empowerment from the School of Management University at Buffalo, USA.
Source: GNA
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