Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has reiterated the need for the country to invest more in skills training and development.

He said technical and vocational education and training (TVET) remains critical to empower the informal sector and enhance Ghana’s economy.

The Asantehene made the call during a courtesy call on him by the Council of the Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development.

Established by an Act of Parliament, the Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development (AAMUSTED) is expected to spearhead the government's vision to engender job creation and industrialisation.

This is expected to be done through effective technical and vocational education and training.

The Asantehene observed Ghana’s economic growth can accelerate if government pumps enough investment into technical and entrepreneurial education.

The University council was inaugurated on November 27, 2020, after Otumfuo assisted in the establishment of the University.

Council members and other university staff called on the Asantehene to express appreciation for his contribution.

"We deemed it befitting to come to Otumfuo and express out appreciation for the work that he did for establishing the university and then to highlight on the mandate of the university which is to see to equipping teachers and granting them the competencies needed to train teachers who will train students in the area of entrepreneurial, and TVET," said the University Council Chairman, Akwasi Agyemang.

He added that the mandate of the school by achieving it will contribute to the decline in unemployment in the Ghana.

"...to help students to develop entrepreneurial skills to set up on their own after school, if we do what is right which is in the mandate of the university train people in the area of TVET, people can establish themselves, so we came to have this discussion with Otumfuo and also seek his blessings and seek his directions for the university."

Research
Mr Agyemang says the University will accord special attention to research to enhance business growth and the TVET industry.

“Decision-making cannot be done just by looking at situations, decisions have to be influenced by empirical evidence and research results. So research is very key in every institution. Today, people get into businesses and collapse because they lacked research work to support the decision to establish the business.

Industries collapse because no feasibility studies are done, but good research will come out to raise the issues and weigh the pros and cons of every situation and help every situation. And we felt having a state-of-the-art library will help“.

He therefore appealed to the Asantehene to support the school with residential facilities together with a library to aid research.

Meanwhile, the Asantehene advised the Council to foster unity to advance the growth of the University.