FULL SPEECH DELIVERED BY MR. EBENEZER QUARCOO, PRINCIPAL OF SUNTRESO TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, AT THE 33RD GRADUATION CEREMONY

The Mayor of Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), Hon. Richard Ofori-Agyeman Boadu,

The District Police Commander, Suntreso Police Command,

Nana Antwi Boasiako II, Chief of Homabenase,

Nana Akwasi Afrifa Anane, Dikro of North Suntreso,

The General Manager of Kessben Media, Mr. Andrew Danso-Aninkora,

The Dean, Faculty of Applied Science and Mathematics Education, AAMUSTED,

Our Stakeholder Representatives from KsTU, KNUST, AAMUSTED and SIC Life Insurance,

The Ashanti Regional Director, Ghana TVET Service,

Chairpersons and Representatives of the various Artisans Associations,

Executive Members of the Conference of Principals of Technical Institutions (COPTI),

Colleague Principals of Public TVET Institutes,

Heads and Representatives of Junior and Senior High Schools,

Esteemed Board of Governors of Suntreso Technical Institute (STI),

The Assembly Member for North Suntreso Electoral Area, Hon. Agripah Opoku,

Pastors and Imams here present,

Management, Staff and Students of STI,

The PTA Executives and Members,

Our cherished Alumni,

Friends from the Media,

Distinguished Graduands, Ladies and Gentlemen.

I am delighted to warmly welcome you all to the 33rd Graduation Ceremony of Suntreso Technical Institute (STI). Today, we are gathered to celebrate the graduation of 220 learners across seven (7) trades: Plumbing and Gas Technology, Electrical Engineering Technology, Catering and Hospitality Management, Computer Hardware and Software, Garment/Fashion Technology, Building Construction, and Automotive Engineering Technology.

These graduands will be awarded the Commission for Technical and Vocational Education Training (CTVET) Certificates.

This year’s ceremony is being held under the theme:“Quality TVET Skills for All; A Key Factor for Youth Employability, Excellence and Innovation.”

RELEVANCE OF THE  THEME

This theme is particularly significant as it highlights the relevance of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in the era of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Research has proven that skills such as those offered at STI are resilient to automation because they require unique human expertise.

It is therefore refreshing to note that our learners here at STI have chosen skills that remain relevant and competitive in the job market.

To maintain this relevance, the Institute will continue to:

Strengthen collaboration with industry for Workplace Experience Learning (WEL) for both facilitators and learners.

Enhance internal quality assurance monitoring systems.

Provide innovative capacity-building programmes for facilitators.

Create platforms for learners to showcase their talents through skills competitions, exhibitions and talent shows.

Improve training facilities including workshops, laboratories, classrooms, tools, and equipment.

Extend part-time and proficiency short courses in all trades to benefit more youth.

TVET has indeed become the order of the day, and I urge the youth to take a keen interest in acquiring these life-changing skills. Parents and guardians must also encourage their wards to enroll in TVET programmes for a secured future.

Status of the Institute and Operations Student Population Currently, STI has a student population of 580, comprising 410 males and 170 females. Workplace Experience Learning (WEL)

Our vision is to emerge as the most outstanding TVET institute within the Ghana TVET Service fraternity, adopting best practices and WEL approaches. To this end, every student and facilitator is exposed to industry-based practical training. We are currently collaborating with over 150 industries under this programme.

Through our partnership with SIC Life Insurance Company Ltd, all learners on industrial attachment are insured against unforeseen injuries. Internally Generated Funds (IGF) and Projects

To complement government’s support, the Institute undertakes the following IGF activities:

Provision of lunch services for staff

Sewing of school uniforms.

Block moulding and production.

Plumbing and electrical works.

Part-time (Open School) training programmes in Hospitality, Electricals, Plumbing, Building Construction, Motor Vehicle Engineering, Computer Technology, and Fashion Design.

Professional short courses for electricians leading to Energy Commission certification.

We are also implementing the Ghana TVET Voucher Project in Electrical Installation, where 100 electricians have received competency-based training for the award of the National Proficiency I Certificate.

Additionally, with the support of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), we are implementing the Youth Climate Action Fund Project in North Suntreso to promote proper plastic waste segregation and disposal.

CHALLENGES

Despite our progress, the Institute continues to grapple with the following challenges:

Inadequate classrooms, toilet facilities, furniture, workshops and laboratories.

Lack of a complete fence wall, exposing the school to land encroachment and security threats.

Absence of boarding facilities, which prevents many admitted students from enrolling due to long-distance challenges.

APPEAL

As the only TVET school in the Bantama Constituency, Suntreso Technical Institute is the pride of the area. We therefore appeal to:

Government to urgently upgrade the school facilities and elevate STI to a boarding school status, which will help increase enrolment and improve academic performance.

The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), under the dynamic leadership of our Mayor, Hon. Richard Ofori-Agyeman Boadu (a.k.a ZUBA), to include STI in its school infrastructure expansion programme — particularly in the areas of classroom construction, provision of furniture, workshops, and a secure fence wall.

These interventions will help us provide a conducive and safe learning environment for our learners.

Appreciation and Conclusion

As I conclude, I wish to sincerely acknowledge the immense support from:

The Governing Board and Management of STI.

The Regional Director, Engr. Richard Addo-Gyamfi, for his consistent guidance and support.

The dedicated staff of STI for their hard work and commitment.

Jofel Catering Services Ltd and Yaa Achamp Enterprise for providing food services for this ceremony.

SIC Life Insurance Co. Ltd for sponsoring this year’s Overall Best Student Awards.

Our cherished students for their discipline and composure.

To our graduands, I say a big congratulations. You have come this far through dedication and perseverance. I challenge you to excel with the skills you have acquired and make STI proud.

God bless us all!