Akatsi: The investiture of Dr. Felix Kwame Kumedzro as the 13th Principal of Akatsi College of Education in the Volta Region was held at the college during its 15th Congregation. The ceremony took place in the College's long hall on Friday, February 14, coinciding with the graduation of the 2022/2023 batch of students who completed a four-year Bachelor of Education Degree program.
According to Ghana News Agency, the event, themed 'Transforming Technical and Vocational Education in Ghana: The Role of Technical Colleges of Education,' saw 362 students graduate. The graduates comprised 105 students from the Upper Primary category and 265 from the JHS Education category. Dr. Kumedzro expressed his readiness to elevate the College's status as a leading teacher training institution, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing technical and vocational education for sustainable development.
During his address, Dr. Kumedzro acknowledged governmental efforts in enhancing technical and vocational schools but highlighted the necessity of focusing on Technical Colleges of Education for training technical teachers. He also recounted the College's achievements, such as acquiring new academic gowns, receiving a new bus, and re-accreditation, while pointing out challenges like the lack of health facilities, infrastructure, ICT, inadequate furniture, and limited space for expansion. He called for stakeholder collaboration to transform the College into a University College of Education.
Professor Ahmed Jinapor Abdulai, Director-General of the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), chaired the event and commended former Principals for their dedication. He expressed confidence in Dr. Kumedzro's leadership to continue advancing the College's mandate as a teacher training institution. Prof Jinapor underscored GTEC's expectations for the new Principal to unify the College's management, faculty, and staff towards achieving its goals.
Prof Isaac Boateng, Pro Vice-Chancellor of Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development and guest speaker, emphasized the significance of TVET transformation in adapting to the changing job market and technological advancements. Other speakers advised graduates to uphold the profession's core values, including honesty, integrity, and creativity.
The joint ceremony featured cultural performances and was attended by past governing council members, the convocation, traditional leaders from the Avenor Traditional Council, academia, education Directors, clergy, family, and friends. Among the graduates, 47 received First Class Honours, 216 earned Second Class Upper, 82 obtained Second Class Lower Division, 14 achieved Third Class, and one student recorded a Pass. Certificates and awards were presented to outstanding students.
Dr. Kumedzro, a distinguished scholar with international academic and leadership credentials, previously served as a senior lecturer at the College of Distance Education, University of Cape Coast. He holds Doctor of Philosophy (M.Phil) degrees in Special Needs Education from Kenyatta University, Kenya, and the University of Cape Coast, along with a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) in Educational Psychology and a leadership certificate from the School of Management University at Buffalo, USA.
