POLYTECHNICS IN GHANA TO BE TRANSFORMED TO TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY NEXT YEAR

 By: Kwamina Bamfo-Agyei

Deputy Minister of Education Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa

The implementation of the transformation of polytechnics in Ghana to technical universities will begin next year the Deputy Minister for Education in charge of Tertiary education Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa revealed this to Central Press during the presentation of two thousand five hundred chairs to Cape Coast Polytechnic.

Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa hinted that Cape Coast Polytechnic is among the first five polytechnics in Ghana to be transformed to a Technical University

This is aimed in support of increased number of new admissions in the 2013/2014 academic year to enable universities and polytechnics absorb the two streams of graduates from the Senior High School (SHS) this year.

According to Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the interventions have "resulted in a 100% increase in admissions at the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), 40% at University of Cape Coast (UCC) and more than 200% at Cape Coast Polytechnic".

Rector C-Poly Dr. Lawerence Atepor

Mr. Ablakwa commended both government and the academic authorities, for keeping to their promise of ensuring that all qualified candidates gained admission to tertiary institutions to enable them to pursue their chosen career.

Other beneficiary institutions include Accra College of Education, University of Ghana, Legon, University of Professional Studies (UPS) as well as the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT). 

The Rector of Cape Coast Polytechnic, Dr. Lawerence Atepor noted that the polytechnic is ready for the transformation into a university. He said as part of the preparation the institution has started offering degree programmes in Building Technology, Mechanical Engineering and Computing Accounting. He noted that plans are underway to start a master programme in the building department by next academic year.