Education Minister challenges CCTU graduates to leverage their technical skills to solve societal problems at 22nd graduation ceremony

Mr Haruna Iddrisu, Minister for Education, has urged graduates of the Cape Coast Technical University (CCTU) to apply their skills, creativity and professional competencies to solve real-world problems and create jobs for themselves and others.

Delivering his message through a representative at the university’s 22nd graduation ceremony held as part of CCTU’s 40th anniversary celebrations, he emphasised that technical university graduates remain central to Ghana’s developmental agenda.

A total of 1,672 students graduated, including the institution’s first-ever batch of postgraduate students, marking a historic milestone.

The cohort comprised 1,024 Bachelor of Technology students, 269 Higher National Diploma students, 360 Diploma students and 19 postgraduate students.

Families, faculty, alumni and industry leaders gathered to celebrate the achievement.

Mr Iddrisu encouraged the graduates to abandon the mindset of job seekers and instead strive to be adaptable, competent and innovative professionals, applied scientists, engineers, digital technologists, agricultural technologists and other technical experts, capable of shaping the country’s economic future.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening technical universities, which he described as vital to industrial development, job creation and a skilled workforce.

For CCTU specifically, he announced government approval for the resumption of the university’s GH₵55.6 million state-of-the-art auditorium complex and the conversion of its commercial block into a student hostel.

He also disclosed that provisions had been made for a new 1,000-capacity hostel scheduled to begin construction in 2026, infrastructure he believes will create an improved learning environment and enhance global competitiveness.

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kwaku Adutwum Ayim Boakye, expressed pride at the graduation of the university’s first postgraduate class and highlighted significant academic advancements, noting that about 90 per cent of CCTU’s deans and directors have now attained professorial rank.

He also announced new non-degree certificate programmes in computer electronics and other soft skills to expand academic offerings.

Speaking as the special guest of honour, Mr Thomas Hughes Amissah, Deputy Managing Director of the National Investment Bank, encouraged the graduates to remain innovative, underscoring that their training had equipped them with practical skills and values needed to excel.

Valedictorian Ms Deborah Asante Aboagye reflected on her journey as an engineering student, stressing persistence and dedication, and expressed gratitude to her colleagues, faculty and university leadership.