Reverend David Nartey Ocansey, General Secretary of the Ghana Baptist Convention, has said vocational education was critical for Ghana's developing economy as it helps to meet the industrial needs of the economy.

He said the National Vocational Training Institute (NVTI) has outlined various programmes that will help students to upgrade their skills saying “the polytechnics also provide tertiary level skills training.”

Rev. Ocansey said this during the 8th graduation of 24 inmates of the Baptist Vocational Training Center at Frankadua in the Asougyaman District of the Eastern Region.

He appealed to the new graduates to aim higher and apply the good financial and business principles learned in their entrepreneurship class to manage their businesses.

Rev. Ocansey cautioned the graduates not to forget the important Godly principles that were instilled in them saying “let the World know you are different.”

He said it was important for the graduates to celebrate as they have reached the end of their training and are about to start a new beginning.

Rev. Ocansey paid tribute to the teachers and staff of the center for their hardwork, commitment and dedication in moulding the students, saying “without you the success story we are celebrating will not have been possible. The quality time you have spent with the girls to make them what they are is immeasurable.”

He expressed the hope that the graduates would become responsible adults and contribute their quota to the development of their communities and thanked the First Baptist Church of Midland, Michigan, USA for their continuous support to the center.

The Center was established in 1998 by the Ghana Baptist Convention to help train and improve vocational skills in the country.**