Togbe Afede XIV, Agbogbome Fia of Asogli, has instituted a 5,000 Ghana cedis cash award for the best lecturer in Ho Polytechnic.

The yearly award is one of three, all commencing next academic year, announced at the Polytechnic’s 12th Congregation in Ho on Saturday.

Togbe Afede said the offer was to motivate and induce lecturers to do their best in the face of Dr Victor Jakpasu Afun, the Rector’s complaint, that the institution was finding it hard to attract, recruit and retain academic staff.

Mr Francis Komla Ganyaglo, a former student and lecturer at the Polytechnic and now the District Chief Executive (DCE) of the Kpando District Assembly, also announced a Best Marketing Student Award.

The third award was instituted by Mr Prince Kofi Kludjeson, an Industrialist for the best student in accountancy.

A total of 1,244 students who completed their courses in 2011 graduated with degrees and diplomas, 17 of them attaining first class.

There were three special awards, Tagoe Addo Jacob, Best Graduating Student, Mensah Bridget Elikem, Henrietta Acolatse-Amofa Memorial Award, for Secretarial English and Afedo Enyonam Susan, Abdallah Ali Nakyea Award for best taxation student in the 10 polytechnics in Ghana.

Mr Lee Ocran, the Minister of Education, addressed the congregation on behalf of Vice-President John Mahama, and acknowledged the importance of polytechnic education and promised to continue to promote technical education in the country.

Professor Anthony Adimado, Chairman of the Council of the Polytechnic, said the Polytechnic was progressing steadily, adding new courses in auto-engineering, agricultural engineering and hospitality and tourism management.

Mr Lee Ocran later toured some uncompleted projects at the Polytechnic including its workshop that is said to hold ageing equipment and ”incubatory” facilities of the University of Health and Allied Sciences in preparation to begin admissions this year.**