Koforidua, Dec. 12, GNA - A five-member executive of the Polytechnic Teachers Association of Ghana (POTAG), has been elected and sworn into office at their 15th delegates' conference in Koforidua on Friday. Mr Godfried Kwame Abledu was elected President, Mr Owusu Acheaw, Vice-President, Mr Anthony Ahiakpa- Secretary, Mr Victor Lartey, Financial Secretary and Mr Isaac Toku, National Organizer.

Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, Eastern Regional Minister, who was the guest of honour, said government placed high priority on polytechnic education, which was one of the career oriented educational institutions. He said polytechnics were designed to be centres of excellence, and government was making relentless efforts to give it the needed support to enhance its academic progress.

Mr Ofosu-Ampofo observed that for polytechnics to become centres of excellence there was the need for the relevant education to be taught. He called on the authorities to employ qualified staff, enrol hardworking students, and provide the state-of the art logistics and facilities, for the achievement of the desired results. Mr Ofosu-Ampofo challenged the polytechnics to be innovative and develop programmes that could help the products gain employments for themselves within their area of competence.

Mr Alfred Nii Martey, acting President, POTAG, appealed to all Polytechnic Rectors to encourage lectures to join the Association. He urged the Rectors not to sideline qualified POTAG executive members when making appointments in the various polytechnics. The two-day conference was on the theme "Skills Development and Wealth Creation, the Role of the Polytechnic Lecturer". 12 Dec. 09