Additionally, he said, the government would increase the amount given out in loans under the students loan scheme and streamline its administration to enhance easy recovery of the loans.

In a speech read on his behalf at the first congregation of the Takoradi Technical University  (TTU) last Saturday, Dr Opoku-Prempeh reiterated that the government had made provision for GH¢55 million in its 2017 budget to pay the book and research allowance of university lecturers.

Additionally, the  government would establish a research fund to facilitate further research and innovation.

The theme for the event was: "Consolidating industrial growth in Ghana: The role of technical education".

Quality of tertiary education

The minister explained that the government had decided to take measures to improve on the quality of tertiary education and was in the process of reconstituting the governing councils of all public tertiary institutions.

"We shall restore to our teachers the honour and respect they once held as the source of enlightenment at all levels of society and ensure that teaching becomes, once again, a profession of choice for our ambitious youth," he said.

He said to ensure that the relevance of technical universities was felt, there was a comprehensive programme to sponsor both lecturers and administrators to acquire higher degrees to be able to impart the needed skills and knowledge to move the country forward.

Adequate funding

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Minerals Commission, Dr Toni Aubynn, said to achieve the objective of making technology the bedrock of sustainable development in Ghana, there was the need to ensure adequate funding for science, technology and innovation of activities in the technical universities.

He challenged the technical universities, state agencies, as well as all stakeholders to harness technology to solve basic development challenges.

The Vice-Chancellor of the TTU, the Rev. Prof. John Frank Eshun, in his report, said the university had successfully developed and launched its five-year strategic plan for 2016 to 2020,  providing clear objectives and direction for the TTU.

The Western Regional Minister, Dr Kwaku Afriyie, gave an assurance that the government would collaborate with the university council to construct two blocks for the institution.

The university successfully turned out 2,940 graduates in the 2015/2016 academic year, out of which 91 were awarded Bachelor of Technology degrees, while 2,435 received Higher National Diplomas (HNDs).

Additionally, 114 Civil Engineering students were presented with HND Competency-Based Training (CBT) certificates from the National Board for Professional  and Technician Examination (NABPTEX), 258 received non-tertiary certificates of attendance, while 42 were awarded Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport  (CILT) certificates.