Mr Seth Terkper, former Minister for Finance, has encouraged the Ho Technical University (HTU) to introduce courses in oil and gas and help develop human resource for that sector.

He said the University was strategically located and noted for producing quality human resource and that it was time the management considered the introduction of oil and gas courses ahead of prospective exploratory activities in the Volta basin.

Mr Terkper was addressing the fifth Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Ho Technical/Polytechnic Old Students Association (HOTEPOOSA) in Ho, on the theme “TVET: Panacea to Ghana’s industrial development”.

He said oil and gas were powering industrialization across the world and asked HTU to introduce innovative courses to build relevant skills for the job market.

Mr Terkper asked the University to give practical meaning to technical and vocational training and information technology to fast-track Ghana’s socio-economic development.

Professor Emmanuel Kojo Sakyi, former Vice-Chancellor, HTU, said industrialization without Technical/ Vocational Education and Training (TVET) would be a mirage because technical and vocational training provided the skills that moved industry.

Mr Andrews Addoquaye Tagoe, Chairman, HOTEPOOSA pledged the commitment of the Association to the growth of HTU and said they will work to keep the University at the top level and to be among the best in the country.

Earlier, the Association handed over a well-furnished reading room to the University and donated assorted items to the children's ward at the Volta Regional Hospital, including GH¢1,000.00 support to a six-year old boy with severe asthmatic attack.