“We will prioritize and pursue polytechnic education to the latter” Bawumia tells Ghanaians.

Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Running mate to the NPP  Flagbearer

Dr Bawumia responding to cheers from enthusiastic NPP supporters

14-10-2012     

Running mate to the NPP flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has chastised the ruling NDC for downplaying the relevance of polytechnic education in nation building. He said for the country to consolidate the gains in the industrialized sector of the economy, polytechnic education which is the pinnacle of industrial and technological research must be given the full recognition to enable it produce the requisite human manpower to drive the developmental needs of the country. More so, the role of polytechnic education would be a mirage if the development agenda is disjoined, inconsistent and made partisan, hence the need for national development agenda aimed at reviving the country’s polytechnics. The NPP, Dr Bawumia assured, will prioritize and pursue polytechnic education to the latter whilst the 3 campuses of the UDS would be converted into separate independent universities. This, he explained, will involve massive expansion on infrastructure coupled with improved facilities as well as teaching and learning materials. Dr Bawua who was addressing TESCON members at the Bolgatanga Polytechnic said the NPP when given the mandate, will transform the country’s polytechnics and universities to enable them realize their set objectives.  According to him, polytechnic education will be one of the specialized areas of education aside the free SHS, which he assured will become feasible and practicable as captured in the NPPs manifesto. He said under the proposed free SHS agenda, the NPP in its first term of office, was going to ensure the successful completion of 350 new SHS backed with teacher quarters’ to enhance effective teaching and learning. Additionally, existing schools will be renovated to accommodate more students and called on Ghanaians to rally behind the NPP to help realize its vision of ensuring quality and affordable education at all levels. Touching on the economy, Dr Bawumia said the NPP in 2000 inherited a HIPC economy with an inflation rate of 40 % and interest rate pegged over 60 percent. He said with bad economic management policies implemented by the NDC, the country’s economy size was nothing to write home about, adding that with the coming of the NPP in 2000 the economy via prudent economic management   went through major economic expansion with the size of the country’s economy increasing from 5 million dollars to 28 million dollars. Dr Bawumia was optimistic that with an improved financial sector characterized by a strong and vibrant private sector, the country was sure of creating a brighter future for the youth through job creation and advised the youth to support the ideals of the NPP to help transform their lives for the better. He said with or without oil, priorities must be set right, urging the NDC to move away from propaganda in the management of the economy.  What needs to be done, he noted, was for Ghanaians to realize the remarkable achievements of the 8 years of the NPP and vote them back to power. He said the NPP government under Akuffo Addo was committed to tackling the problems bedeviling the country’s economy.

GBC                                                  END                                                                                      IA/