Ho, Mar. 9, GNA-Reverend Father Dr. Lawrence Akli, Chaplain of the Ho Polytechnic, on Friday asserted that the educational institution could best be maintained as a polytechnic rather than been transformed into a University.

He explained that a polytechnic was a career focused technological institution for training skilled middle-level manpower for industries. Rev. Dr. Akli was addressing a seminar on the theme: "the concept of Polytechnic Education and Its Relevance to the Development of Ghana," organized by the Ho Polytechnic Branch of the Ghana National Union of Polytechnic Students (GNUPS), in Ho.

He said it was unfortunate that many people were calling for the Polytechnic to be converted into a University unmindful of its career focused practical orientation distinct from that of a university. Rev. Dr. Akli said " We cannot afford to become a second class university. We are on our own and can offer degree programmes up to PHD levels".

He therefore, urged students to rid themselves of public misconceptions about polytechnic education and to endeavour to understand orientation and challenges of polytechnics. Mr Paul Effah, Executive Secretary of the National Council of Tertiary Education (NCTE), in a speech read for him, reminded polytechnics of their mandate to develop middle-level manpower bearing in mind the growing competitiveness in the Ghanaian economy. He noted that polytechnics were well positioned to provide opportunities for life-long learning and academic progression, facilitating career development opportunities for workers in their respective fields.

"Polytechnics could organize sandwich programmes and evening classes on Higher National Diploma programmes (HND) to help build local leadership and improve the technical proficiency of labour", Mr Effah said.

Mr David Mensah Amegunu, GNUPS, Ho Poly Local Representative, said the current status of HND certificate posed major challenges to holders and students.

He said such problems and challenges ought to be resolved early to enable the country attain its goal of rapid industrial development.