The Takoradi Polytechnic is to establish a new campus at Akatakyi in the Ahanta West District of the Western Region as part of preparations towards the attainment of a technical university status.

Mr Emmanuel Okumi-Andoh, Vice Rector of the Polytechnic, in an interview with the GNA said various initiatives by the Polytechnic would lead to the introduction of additional programmes, particularly in the engineering sector.

He said the African Development Bank was funding the eighteen-month project, under the Council for Technical, Vocational Education and training programme.

Meanwhile, five polytechnics have qualified for the initial take-off by the September 2016 deadline.

Mr Samuel Okudzeto-Ablakwa, Deputy Minister of Education, in charge of Tertiary education, who revealed this at the 23th annual delegates’ congress of the Ghana National Union of Polytechnic Students, however, did not provide the names of those which have qualified.

Before any polytechnic could climb on the technical university ladder, that school must have most of the lecturers holding PHDS, sign a memorandum of understanding with the industry and two faculties, four departments and four science and engineering programmes running.