Prof Anthony Adimado, Chairman of the Ho Polytechnic Council, has appealed to staff and workers of the Polytechnic to own and help grow the institution into a world renowned centre of learning and human development.
“We need each other to climb the ladder. Scratch my back and I scratch your back”, he said.
Prof Adimado was speaking at an “Excellence Awards” ceremony initiated and sponsored by the Polytechnic Alumni in collaboration with the Polytechnic Council to honour workers who have rendered distinguished service to the Polytechnic over the years.
The first category of awards, comprising a gas cooker each went to Madam Bertha Kornu, a cleaner, the Reverend Alfred Senade Gasper, Principal Technician who in 1974 was a Technical Instructor at the then Ho Technical Institute and Mr Ben Kwashie Hoenyenuga, Senior Lecturer, one of the pioneer Instructors of the Polytechnic when it was established in 1997.
The Polytechnic Council Awards and the Polytechnic Administrators Association awards were also won by three people who received parcels.
Professor Adimado said the awards constituted a call for dedication and commitment to public service because service rendered wholeheartedly would be spotted and rewarded no matter how humble or exalted the level.
He said as the premier tertiary institution in the Volta Region, the Polytechnic must reflect what is best in public service, teaching, training, learning discipline, innovation and team work.
Dr Jakpasu Victor Afun, Rector of the Polytechnic, said Mr Moses Alifo,a partially hearing and speech impaired who won one of the awards for best guards,was exceptional.
Mr Alifo, he said, was always present on duty as though there was no time to rest or close from work. “He loved his work”.
Dr Afun said the Polytechnic was proud to have many other dedicated workers and staff but had limited resources to honour them all.
Mr Lawrence Kwami Aziale, President of the Polytechnic Alumni, said the Alumni was committed to working with the management and other stake-holders of the Polytechnic to raise its profile much higher.
He said the Association plans to establish a printing press to serve the Polytechnic and the Volta Region.
Mr Aziale said the Association also plans to institute a Needy Students’ Fund to assist those students who could not afford to pay their school fees.