Mampong Technical College Introduces ‘One Student, One Skill’ Initiative
The Mampong Technical College of Education is positioning itself as a leading institution for technical teacher education, with plans to equip every graduate with practical, industry-relevant skills alongside their academic qualifications.
The initiative, dubbed “One Student, One Skill,” forms part of a new strategic vision announced by the Principal of the College, Professor Ebenezer Agyemang-Badu, during the institution’s 18th Congregation and Investiture.
According to Prof. Agyemang-Badu, the initiative is designed to equip graduates with skills that will enable them to move beyond seeking employment to creating opportunities for themselves and others.
“Every graduate of Mampong Technical College of Education will leave not only with a Bachelor of Education degree, but also with industry-relevant market skills,” he said.
College seeks CTVET accreditation
The College is seeking accreditation from the Commission for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (CTVET) to introduce competency-based programmes in computer software development, fashion design, welding and fabrication, electrical installation, solar panel installation, and industrial machine installation and maintenance.
Prof. Agyemang-Badu believes the programmes could help address graduate unemployment while strengthening technical and vocational skills development in Ghana.
“These programmes are expected to change how apprenticeship training is conducted in Ghana and provide the needed skills for the youth to contribute meaningfully to economic development,” he said.
He has therefore appealed to CTVET to expedite the accreditation process to enable the College to roll out the programmes.
The Principal is also seeking support from the government and development partners to equip the College’s workshops with modern machinery and tools.
“Although basic equipment needed for the programmes exist, we are appealing to government and donor agencies to support us with modern workshop diagnostic machines and tools to support this noble initiative towards contributing to solving graduate unemployment and youth development,” he said.
Seven strategic priorities
The planned expansion of technical and vocational education forms part of a broader strategy to reposition Mampong Technical College as a competitive and research-focused institution.
Prof. Agyemang-Badu outlined seven strategic priorities for the College, including improving teaching and learning, strengthening research, enhancing student support, improving governance, developing staff, diversifying revenue and deepening partnerships with industry and government.
“My vision as a principal of the college is to position Mampong Technical College of Education as a competitive research-focused institution for the advancement of TVET and teacher education for sustainable national development,” he said.
Infrastructure challenges
Despite its plans for expansion, management says inadequate infrastructure remains a major challenge.
About five projects are currently at various stages of completion, including an administration block and a three-storey hostel facility funded by the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund).
However, some of the projects have stalled due to payment and approval challenges.
Prof. Agyemang-Badu has appealed to the government and the Administrator of GETFund to intervene and help ensure that the projects resume.
“We are appealing to the government and administrator of GETFund to make payment and approve the revision of estimates to enable the contractors to come back to site,” he said.
The College is also seeking funding to complete a modern auditorium initiated through donations during its centenary anniversary.
Management has further called for a review of the annual capping of internally generated funds, arguing that the restriction is affecting the pace of infrastructure development.
Funding constraints
The College is currently using internally generated funds to construct a three-storey lecture hall. However, management says budgetary restrictions are slowing down the project.
“You have the money, the funds exist, but cannot spend because of budgetary capping,” Prof. Agyemang-Badu said.
He warned that continued restrictions could eventually discourage tertiary institutions from generating their own revenue to supplement government funding.
Despite the challenges, the Principal said transforming the College would require a collective effort from all stakeholders.
He called on staff, students, alumni, government, industry players and development partners to support the institution’s development agenda.
For Mampong Technical College of Education, the long-term goal is to produce teachers who are not only academically qualified but also equipped with practical skills to innovate, create employment opportunities and contribute meaningfully to Ghana’s economic development.
