69th Annual New Year School and Conference Closes

Group picture of all participants with officials

The four-day 69th Annual New Year School and Conference ended on Thursday 18th January 2018 at the Conference Hall of the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER).

The Annual New Year School and Conference was organized by the School of Continuing and Distance Education to provide the platform for the dispassionate discussion of important issues of national and international concerns. The 69th edition was under the theme, “Job Creation for Accelerated National Development: The Role of the Private Sector.” Participants came from across the country.

In his remarks as chair of the closing session of the 330-participant School and Conference, the Pro-Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs, Prof. Kwame Offei, disclosed that the University is revising its academic programs, with focus on critical thinking, entrepreneurship, and intellectual development to create and train the 21st century graduate. He emphasized that the new focus will be more responsive to the needs of industry and the country as a whole. He added that the youth, a great resource to national development, need to be adequately educated and trained to attain the skills needed in the work environment.

Pro-Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs, Prof. Kwame Offei

Participants from both the private and public sectors discussed diverse sub-topics of national concern with industrially experienced panelists, who provided some practical solutions to the problems identified. The sub-topics discussed include ‘creating an enabling environment for Private sector development,’ ‘developing and supporting innovative entrepreneurship,’ ‘private sector participation in local governance for job creation,’ ‘enhancing labour productivity through skills development for industry,’ ‘attracting investment into the agricultural value chain: the role of the private sector,’ ‘accelerated industrial development for job creation,’ ‘innovative financial services for business and SME’s Development,’ and ‘e-Business and job creation.’

The Acting Head of Distance Education, Dr. Eric Osei-Assibey, gave an in-depth report on the communiqué issued by the conference. Among policies captured in the communiqué were the patronage of made-in-Ghana goods; subsidies for local businesses; effective land use and planning, and entrepreneurship competitions in educational curriculum. By this communiqué, Government is advised to intensify the campaign to change the negative mindset of Ghanaians towards local products. Government is further advised to establish an Agricultural Development Fund through the Special Development Initiative, and to actively support cottage industries that will use local raw materials and employ the youth in their localities.

The Acting Provost of the College of Education and Dean of the School of Continuing and Distance Education, Prof. Michael Ayitey Tagoe, commended all participants for engaging and actively participating in the conference. He assured participants that all recommendations would be directed to the appropriate quarters to be addressed. Prof. Tagoe also noted that the School of Distance Education and the School of Education and Leadership would work together to enroll their students on entrepreneurial programmes. 

A Participant receiving a certificate from officials

 

Some Participants at the Event