Mr. Yahaya Yakubu Tanko was adjuged the overall best graduate at the seventh Congregation with a CGPA of 4.55.The Overall Best Building Technology Graduate for 2009, Mr. Yahaya Yakubu Tanko, received the Bamfo-Agyei Excellence Award while the Best Female Construction Graduate Award for that year, Ms Mercy Tebepah had the Agnes Boham Excellence Award. They obtained First Class and Second Class Upper divisions respectively and each received one 100 dollars.
The ceremony saw a graduation of one thousand and seventeen graduands it took at the Ceremonial Grounds, and featured rousing and heart-felt speeches.
One significant focus of the day was the attendance of Mr Mahama Ayariga, the Deputy Minister of Education incharge of tertiary pledged the government’s commitment to the welfare of Polytechnic Teachers’ saying it was in consultation with its professional association, POTAG, the Fair Wages Commission and the other stakeholders to ensure that their salaries are migrated unto the Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS) devoid of anomalies to forestall problems.
He announced that Government has secured 80 million dollars to undertake massive infrastructural development in the Polytechnics towards developing the requisite manpower to sustain the middle income economy the country has achieved.
The Ag. Rector of Cape Coast Polytechnic Mr Augustus Marx Koomson made an incredibly poignant and relevant speech, of which the main focus was how to harness the facilities provided by the Polytechnic so that students could compete on the global job market. He stressed that polytechnic education is ‘the catalyst of our industrialisation drive’, and generally encouraged students to learn and develop themselves as people and students as much as possible, in order to be successful.
As Ghana is working and striving to develop itself as much as possible, it was clear that much of this hope and vision rested in the graduating students gathered there on Saturday. These young graduates represent aspirations that many have for the future of Ghana, and will hopefully go on to achieve great success.In addition to this, Koomson also drew close attention to the improvements that the Polytechnic had made from GETFund and the Teaching and Learning Innovation Fund (TALIF). GETFund has provided the Polytechnic with ‘infrastructure and facilities for learning and research’, such as giving staff local and overseas training programmes. As well as these improvements, Koomson spoke of the new block of lecture theatres and offices, as well as the upcoming initiatives to open the Fashion Design and Technology Departments.
He emphasised the importance of moving with the times, and adapting to modern changes. The speaker explained that students must ‘explore the power of modern ICT […] Students must dare to explore the uncharted paths’. They went on to say that ‘Today social, economic and political developments throughout the world have contributed to dramatic change in the way global business is conducted’. One had the impression that the Polytechnic is incredibly aware of its potential standing in the world and wishes to not only to become similar to the leading technical institutions in the world, but to become one in its own right.
However, the most striking and bold move was the revelation that the Polytechnic will also be opening a Department of Hotel, Catering and Institutional Management, including a Model Training Hotel. This is a clear indication that Cape Coast Polytechnic is making steps to evolve with the times in order to accommodate the ever-increasing popularity of Ghana with tourists, as this will without a doubt be an invaluable source of revenue for the residents of Cape Coast and Ghana as a whole. This shows how Ghana is gradually working to use its own unique and history and culture as a source of its growth.
Other ways in which the Cape Coast Polytechnic is pushing itself and growing as an institution is through international collaboration. Its partnership with Nanjing University of Information Technology in China, Netherlands Association of Universities of Applied Sciences and Vaasa Polytechnic in Finland, is other evidence of the Polytechnic working hard to increase its standing and prestige internationally, by forging bonds and friendships with academic institutions all around the world, which can only be a positive move for Cape Coast. As well as academically benefiting from this exchange, students can also have the opportunity to experience different cultures and different parts of the world. An example of this is the United States exchange programme, which took four 2nd year students to study in America. Koomson highlighted the importance of ‘global networking’ as ‘the catalyst to growth in industry and commerce’.
Nevertheless, Koomson explained that the constructive evolution of Cape Coast Polytechnic did not end there. Following the discovery of oil and gas in Ghana, he asserted that Management was extremely eager to train students with skills for the oil and gas industry, and that the Polytechnic would welcome collaboration with industry to make this happen. This evidence of forward-thinking and motivation to take advantage of such a significant moment in Ghana’s history and economy is exactly the attitude needed if Ghana wishes to develop itself as a world power, as it is crucial to capitalise on such an opportunity with the correct skills and training to benefit Ghana as a whole.
Therefore, Koomson has showed in which ways the Cape Coast Polytechnic is trying to make sure that it is constantly expanding and developing itself to adapt to modern changes in Ghana culture and circumstances, and harnessing its huge potential. Time will tell whether such plans will successfully come to fruition, and whether the institution will develop and change for the better.
Nevertheless, although much of the speech offered a glowing image of Cape Coast Polytechnic and its plans for the future, Koomson did not fail to point out some of its faults and problems. One issue that was highlighted was the lack of necessary sports facilities, which he insisted were absolutely crucial for the holistic education of the students, who could use these facilities to let off stress and to socialise.
The Chairman of the Council appealed to the government to improve the condition of service of the polytechnic staff, he warned could hinder the growth and development of the institution, as a plentiful and satisfied workforce is fundamental in implementing the many changes that the Polytechnic wishes to make. As well as this, a lack of satisfactory accommodation was highlighted as a major problem, with a population of approximately 4000 students, but only one block of Students Hostel which holds 230 people.
The Chairman of the Council Dr. Ato Cobbinah, urged the industry to partner government in its quest to improve infrastructure in those institutions. He stated that although they had benefited greatly from government funds, the incompletion of the Polytechnic’s Sports Stadium and the Shopping Mall and Commercial Area for many years was of great worry and disappointment, as they could both be great sources of enjoyment and income.
As a result, although much said during the day showed the positives of Cape Coast Polytechnic’s present and future, this shows it reacting and adapting positively to changes in Ghana and the world market. It was also clear that the Polytechnic still faces many fundamental problems with its facilities and accommodation, which could hinder its growth and development for the future. We hope that those with the power to change the situation hear the problems spoken about and that the Polytechnic stays close to and works hard to achieve the admirable and courageous changes that could benefit Ghana in its quest to play on the world stage.
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