Institutionalization of Apprenticeship: Strengthening Technical Education

A nation develops on the talents of its citizens but the reality is that talent does not automatically yield development. Human talent, nurtured through formal and informal training, responds to the dynamic needs of society. Therefore proactive governments strategize to develop the talents of citizens in order to develop their nations. Conversely, capable and innovative individuals seize timely opportunities to develop self for personal fulfilment and as well contribute meaningfully to community and nation building. A huge part of that talent nurturing occurs through technical education.

Understandably therefore, serious nations are putting forth maximum financial and technological efforts, not only to develop technical education programmes, but are constantly revising such--for both public and private sectors--to meet national needs. Most importantly, such efforts are geared towards laying a strong foundation in skill acquisition for the youth, and to broaden career choices for citizens. According to one Secretary of State for Education, a weak technical education implies that “[a nation’s] capacity to generate growth ... remains weaker”. Consequently, a serious nation exploits technical avenues to maximize human potential. The private sector, among other functions, also presents a strategic channel to develop human talent through vocational apprenticeships.

Ghana’s private sector houses a significant part of the nation’s human resources and labour force, two resources that ought to be explored to expedite the nation’s developmental efforts. The skills available in that sector, transferable through apprenticeship, ensure a constant supply of skills to meet domestic, social and commercial needs in both rural and urban communities. Acquisition of skill through apprenticeships implies mastery which in turn empowers the skilled through job security. Ideally, informal apprenticeship should complement formal ones to maximize skill acquisition, secure employment and quality existence for the citizenry.

The apprenticeship programme of the private sector places it in a tactical position to help eradicate extreme poverty and hunger in the country. Its percentage in human resource development is very high: “Informal Apprenticeship Training (IAT) is responsible for some 80-90% of all basic skills training in Ghana, as compared to 5-10% from public training institutions and 10-15% from NGO for-profit and non-profit providers”. Acquisition of employable skill might imply steady jobs for artisans, thereby, raise their chances of earning decent income, which in turn might enable them to live comfortably, thus fulfil one target of the first Millennium Development Goal (MDG), “[a]chieve full and productive employment and decent work”.

The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has acknowledged: “The private sector is the main engine of growth”. However, that engine can operate effectively only upon being oiled well and capably programmed. In other words, if that sector was adequately empowered intellectually and persuaded to invest in quality and systematic upgrading in order to be equipped for technological trends and sound business management skills, the level of sophistication that would be added to its workforce would not only make its apprenticeship attractive to the youth but would ensure a steady cash flow from its normal operations, which in turn would enable the government to demand higher income tax from it. Institutionalizing apprenticeship in the country would refine skill acquisition by theorizing practice so that artisans might appreciate the underlying principles of their vocations.

Institutionalization of apprenticeship here refers to linking formal education with apprenticeship whereby mandatory education would be extended to the secondary level so that graduating apprentices would possess a minimum of secondary level education. Since there are various categories of learners in the apprenticeship groups, provision would have to be made for slow learners by providing for abridged curricula in order to ensure that they possess, at least, functional skills—language, mathematics, science, critical thinking, entrepreneurial and business management--upon completion. For that to happen, however, the practical component of various syllabi must be strengthened, from upper primary through to junior high level to enable right placement of pupils at the secondary level. There would be need for a versatile evaluative system that would ensure close and proper monitoring towards appropriate placement of students in the right programmes.

Institutionalization also refers to regular orientation by polytechnic and technical institutions to update knowledge, skills and practice of local private sector artisans and tapping their expertise in practical instruction in technical classrooms. The orientation should cover illiterate apprentices or school drop-outs so that they can all access NVTI levels 1 and 2. Thus graduating apprentices would possess working knowledge in areas of literacy, numeracy business management and critical thinking. Such strategic education would lend sophistication to all apprenticeship programmes, and as well endow artisan groups with the professionalism required for public trust and patronage crucial for sustainable business.

The rapidity of global technological and economic changes--to mention two--requires that knowledge be packaged with adaptable qualities, otherwise, beneficiaries risk lagging behind development. If such beneficiaries belong to a nation, then the nation stagnates. Proactive nations therefore acknowledge that it is not enough to impart knowledge:  “The future of [a country] depends on knowledge, the ability to utilise knowledge and the capacity for new innovations”. Imparting versatile knowledge should be the objective of both public and private sectors, through formal and informal training, if a country desires balanced human resources. Ghana needs that direction to save the unskilled youth who have besieged urban streets and highways, petty trading.  

These are but a few urgent reasons to revisit the concept of apprenticeship and the possibility of institutionalizing it in the country. It is necessary to investigate the challenges facing the apprenticeship system and possible ways of revitalizing the artisan groups to ensure productivity and economic stability. It is about time the national myth surrounding apprenticeship that pupils from poor homes, school drop-outs and academic non-performers enrol in apprenticeship, was completely demystified. To wit, education is curtailed mainly due to three reasons: academic non-performance, financial constraints and delinquency.

Whilst the latter reasons are acceptable because such drop-outs may be good students and as such could direct their talents elsewhere, the former is highly unacceptable because when people who are apparently slow-witted are put through apprenticeship in vocations, the services of which impact directly on human lives, a foundation is laid for poor or sub-standard performance, one rippling effect of which action is a volatile environment in which lives are continuously endangered. An exception to the scenario above is the circumstance where an otherwise slow-learner in a typical academic environment would show potential in another area of human endeavour and be counselled to or voluntarily opt for mastery in that area. Consequently, all stakeholders of education must consider the practicality of institutionalizing apprenticeship in Ghana because the poor performance of most artisans and the general distrust for their services is a direct result of raw apprenticeship. Such poor performance, often resulting in low income status, must constantly remind policy makers, educators and other stakeholders about the gross underutilization of human resources in the unskilled workforce and the nation’s squandered chances of tapping maximum economic benefits from the informal sector.  

Apprenticeship offers routes to trades that require highly sophisticated knowledge. Here are three examples: Auto-mechanics handle parts of automobiles, the erroneous repair or replacement of which could have socio-economic or even fatal consequences. Drivers ply roads in small and heavy vehicles; their ability to read and interpret road situations and handle vehicles with precision is crucial to human safety. Beauticians apply strong chemicals to hair and nails, misapplication of which chemicals pose health hazards. Scientific and technological advancement bring rapid changes to these vocations. Artisans therefore need good education, far beyond basic school mathematics and English language. In short, apprenticeship is not for the dim-witted; rather, it is meant for smart ones who can master skills and apply acquired knowledge under changing circumstances.

Technology has affected all areas of human endeavours; it has resulted in the manufacture of sophisticated machinery, job tools and equipment. Such work equipment requires equally sophisticated expertise, which would not occur by chance. A nation must therefore strategize to give currency to its human resource training in order to match such industrial sophistication. Technical institutions could muster holistic approaches which can revitalize apprenticeship in the country, strategize their programmes to invest heavily in human resources. To achieve that, moribund curriculum must give way to proactive ones in content—teaching-learning methods, teacher education, practice, technological infrastructure, to mention four. As such, political touting and educational apathy must give way to innovation, realistic policies to suit local needs and effective monitoring. Institutionalization of apprenticeship might be challenging and costly but it is the best approach to skill acquisition and youth empowerment. Hopefully, Ghana has the guts to adopt it.

There, their, or they’re? Whose [who’s??] spelling needs a quick overhaul? | OxfordWords blog

There, their, or they’re? Whose [who’s??] spelling needs a quick overhaul? | OxfordWords blog

Rejoinder: Headmaster Ban Ki-Moon lectures African leaders

The role of the student as intrinsic to
eradicating homosexuality in Ghana

Mr. K. B. Asante’s article in the February 6, 2012 edition of the Daily Graphic made me very uneasy. Usually, I enjoy his articles due to their candid and realistic nature, but I must state that the article in question was rather hollow. While Mr. Asante was factual about global political hypocrisy and African governance, his trivialization of homosexuality in Ghana rendered his article myopic and portrayed him as out of tune with the reality of homophobia in the country. I take this opportunity to update him, especially, in the face of a recent attack on homosexuals in Accra, Daily Graphic, March 16, 2012, p.25.

What Makes a Homosexual?

A report published in Nature Magazine, a scientific journal, in 2000 enlightened me on the controversial subject of homosexuality. A baby had been born with both male and female sexual organs, so doctors decided to remove the female organ which was less developed. The baby was thus made into a male although when he grew up it became obvious that he was, biologically, a female. This developed into a situation of acute gender confusion, and the person became a homosexual in his sexual orientation. Naturally, the doctors who performed the initial operation regretted their hasty action but that person had to live with its consequences for the rest of his/her life. This is not the sole “cause” of homosexuality but it must serve to persuade us to think about how we view homosexuals and their place in society.

The doctors in the report made a professional judgment which turned out to be inadvertently naive. They learnt from their mistake. They resolved that in subsequent situations, the individual would be allowed to grow with both organs until it could be ascertained which gender hormone was predominant in the body; only then would a surgery be performed to correct the sex issue. I have cited the report, not because I’m an advocate for homosexuality, but because we always have genuine reasons to revisit our position on issues in life.  That report taught me that I—like many others—assume wrongly that homosexuality is just a lifestyle; some have that lifestyle imposed on them. In short, we do not know for sure what makes a person homosexual. Sadly, homophobes fail to factor such issue into their biases before they jump on the hate wagon. And some Ghanaians have certainly joined that wagon.

The italicized inscription above is in a T-shirt designed by the Student Representative Council (SRC) in one tertiary institution in the country, for their campaign against homosexuality in Ghana. A first year female student wore one to class though neither she nor her mates could explain the sentiment. The SRC President explained that consultation with knowledgeable people from different backgrounds, and the perceived Ghanaian attitude yielded that theme. The students’ support for an issue they, apparently, do not understand has raised my apprehension, knowing the passion of the youth and how easily they could be inflamed. The recent attack proves I was right to be apprehensive. Can our tertiary students handle homosexual issues critically? Do they understand the complexities regarding homosexuality? Mr. Asante’s article made me doubt the older generation’s appreciation of the issue. So who guides the youth to express disapproval without being homophobic, thus exhibit maturity through objectivity?

Considering the rigid stance against homosexuality by majority of Ghanaians, dare one hope for any objectivity from the adult population--traditionalists, policy makers, the clergy? The latter uses the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah to substantiate God’s hatred for homosexuality. There is also the sub-argument that “Ghanaian culture frowns on homosexuality”. My response to the first argument is that the same scripture that condemns homosexuality also condemns fornication, idol worship, adultery, stealing, greed, drunkenness, slander and extortion. According to 1 Corinthians 6: 9-11, “all doing such have no share in the kingdom of God” (The Living Bible), so why have the clergy and other holier-than-thou people targeted homosexuals only? Several female students in tertiary institutions leave their names with hotels and taxi drivers so that they could be picked by males who desire sex. Some male students are pimps. Is anybody trying to eradicate fornication?

And the numerous acts of adultery occurring in our society, even in the churches; are the pastors eradicating such activities? Are the clergy leading exemplary lives? What about individual Ghanaians who are becoming pastors overnight so they can live on church collection, which these days gets donated in heavy amounts so the donors would be protected from the evil influence of the witches? What about the numerous females who are branded witches by church leaders? Last year, an elderly woman was accused of witchcraft—by a pastor--and burnt by the supposed victims, in the Greater Accra Region. Who protected her? Is anyone trying to eradicate such ludicrous backwardness from the nation? Ghanaian backwardness is not amusing, Mr. Asante.

http://earthwormfarminginghana.blogspot.com 

True Culture

In spite of the harm being caused by the activities of charlatans parading as “men of God” in the country, last year when the mental bill was being discussed in parliament, the Member of Parliament for Asawasi, Alhaji Muntaka Mubarak, wanted the inclusion of churches because he considers them mental health service providers. How do such victims get to be branded as mad and how do they get to the churches in the first place? Instead of advocating the eradication of gross human rights abuses by these church groups, the MP rather approves of their activities. Who protects the ordinary Ghanaian?

And “sakawa” activities engaged in by a cross section of the youth of the country, tertiary students included, to enrich themselves overnight. Any campaigns by various SRCs to eradicate extortion from the country? Currently in our learning institutions, student ingenuity is manifested in examination malpractices. Some employers do not even trust the degrees awarded to graduates. In spite of the negative connotations, I am yet to witness any SRC initiative to reduce or eradicate examination malpractices. Need I mention politicians who deceive the electorate with promises they never intend to fulfil? What about the mindless murder of Ghanaians on our roads through reckless driving, and allowing such behaviour to go unpunished? We are so pathetic at waste management that the country is engulfed by filth. Does Ghanaian culture endorse any of the atrocities listed above? From the Biblical perspective, all the practices mentioned above are just as morally wrong. Somebody please teach me Ghanaian culture because I know of only one. It is humane and practical, not perverse!

To Mr. Asante and all Ghanaians, homosexuality has always existed in the country, and is practiced by people from all walks of life. Some of these have been trained with national resources; others are knowledgeable people who have so much to offer the nation in all productive sectors. Should they be ostracized because of their lifestyle and allow their potential to be wasted? Other communities have been able to accept homosexuals because they are resourceful human beings and contribute to community development. That is the position of Prime Minister David Cameron, President Obama and Mr. Ban Ki-Moon. The grants and aid England, the United States and the UN give to Ghana include taxes and donations from homosexuals. At least, Westerners are practical. One can object to a lifestyle without hating the individuals who indulge in it. Acknowledging the humanity of homosexuals, respecting their rights does not imply adopting their lifestyle. Ghanaians must make that distinction. Even Hollywood has reservations about homosexuality. Whilst the leaders mentioned above do not have the right to dictate to any nation, they certainly can help to unmask Ghanaian hypocrisy, which is what the hullaballoo about homosexuality really is. It is absolutely repulsive to close an eye to one wrongdoing and shine the beam full blast on others of the same magnitude. It is equally reprehensible to condemn an act but accept the benefits it offers. I wish England, America and the UN would call Ghana’s bluff. That would compel leadership to governance--actually crack their brains, strategize, utilize state resources for national development—the reason for their election.

For once, Ghanaians should drop the superficiality which has become the hallmark of the nation. If people object to homosexual lifestyles because of Christian sentiments, they also know that condemnation belongs to God, not humans. Only the creator has the moral right to set standards for humans; in His own time, he would deal with those who disregard His moral standards. Until such time, let each of us work on our own shortcomings and strive for moral excellence. Live and let live. I hate hypocrisy so if Ghanaians continue with this vicious hate campaign, then I repeat Jesus’ invitation: “[S]/he that is without sin among [us], let him[/her] first cast a stone at [the homosexuals]” (John 8:7: King James Bible).

Check out this great MSN video: Baby Blown Away By Bubbles

Check out this great MSN video: Baby Blown Away By Bubbles

Isn't he adorable! Sometimes, the simplest things in life are the most beautiful. Enjoy.

Check out this great MSN video: Obama, Merkel hold joint press conference

Check out this great MSN video: Obama, Merkel hold joint press conference

Comfortable with filth!

A tenant moved from a house and left this tattered wardrobe at the back of the house instead of sending it to the garbage dump or giving it someone to use as firewood.. This is not your ordinary tenant. This was someone who prides himself on his education and flouts his letters wherever he goes. Sadly, his education has not gone through his personality to endow him with the necessary refinement. His education has not taught him the basic facts about cleanliness. This person has children. What path is he cutting for them. Another fact is that there are several parents like this tenants. Ghanaians are simple too comfortable with filth, which is the reason we are engulfed by filth.
We are giving such a lamentable lesson the ones we refer to as the future leaders. Ghana has not future!

What makes a Homosexual?

                                                       

 

The role of the student as intrinsic to
eradicating homosexuality in Ghana

A report published in Nature Magazine, a scientific journal, in 2000 was an eye-opener for me on the controversial subject of homosexuality. A baby had been born with both male and female sexual organs, so doctors decided to remove the female organ which was less developed. The baby was thus made into a male although when he grew up it became obvious that he was, biologically, a female. This developed into a situation of acute gender confusion, and the person became a homosexual in his sexual orientation. Naturally, the doctors who performed the initial operation regretted their hasty action but that person had to live with its consequences for the rest of his/her life. This is not the sole “cause” of homosexuality but it must serve to persuade us to think about how we view homosexuals and their place in society.

The doctors in the report made a professional judgment which turned out to be inadvertently naive. They learnt from their mistake; they showed their remorse in the resolution that in subsequent situations, the individual would be allowed to grow with both organs until such age when it could be ascertained which gender hormone was predominant in the body, only then would a surgery be performed to correct the sex issue. I have cited the report, not because I’m an advocate for homosexuality, but because we always have genuine reasons to revisit our position on issues in life.  I stand for justice. My lesson from that report: I—like many others—assume wrongly that homosexuality is just a lifestyle; some have that lifestyle imposed on them. We do not know for sure what makes a person homosexual. Sadly, homophobes fail to factor such issue into their biases before they jump on the hate wagon. And Ghanaians have certainly joined that wagon.

The italicized inscription above is in a T-shirt designed by the Student Representative Council (SRC) in one tertiary institution in the country, for their campaign against homosexuality in Ghana. A female student wore one to my class though she could not explain the sentiment; neither could the other students though they are supporting the course. The students’ support for an issue they, apparently, do not understand has raised my apprehension, knowing the passion of the youth and how easily they could be inflamed. I wonder if our tertiary students can handle homosexual issues critically. I am not sure that they understand the complexities regarding homosexuality. They should, at least, analyze issues objectively before they assume a stand. The adult Ghanaian society must guide the youth to express disapproval without being homophobic. That would exhibit maturity.

But considering the rigid stance against homosexuality by majority of Ghanaians, it would be difficult to hope for any objectivity from the adult population--traditionalists, policy makers as well as the clergy. The latter’s argument is that the ancient cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed due to homosexual lifestyle and that God hates the practice. Of course, there is also the sub-argument that the practice is unacceptable in the Ghanaian culture. My response to the first argument is that God does hate homosexuality, but the same scripture that condemns it also condemns fornication, idol worship, adultery, stealing, greed, drunkenness, slander and extortion. According to 1 Corinthians 6: 9-11, “all doing such have no share in the kingdom of God” (The Living Bible), so why are the clergy and other holier-than-thou people picking homosexuals for persecution? Several female students in tertiary institutions leave their names with hotels and taxi drivers so that they could be picked by males who desire sexual fun. Some male students even act as pimps. All such individuals commit fornication; is anybody trying to eradicate that practice? 

What about the numerous acts of adultery occurring in our society, even in the churches; are the pastors eradicating such activities? Are they themselves leading exemplary lives regarding such immoral practices? What about individual Ghanaians who are becoming pastors overnight so they can live on church collection, which these days gets donated in heavy amounts so the donors would be protected from the evil influence of the witches? What about the numerous females who are branded witches by church leaders? Last year, an elderly woman was accused of witchcraft—by a pastor--and burnt by the supposed victims, in the Greater Accra Region. Who defended her? Is anyone trying to eradicate such ludicrous backwardness from the nation? 

In spite of the harm being caused by the activities of charlatans parading as “men of God” in the country, recently when the mental bill was being discussed in parliament, the Member of Parliament for Asawasi, Alhaji Muntaka Mubarak, wanted the inclusion of such churches because he considers them mental health service providers. My immediate reaction was how do such victims get to be branded as mad and how do they get to the churches in the first place? Instead of advocating the eradication of gross human rights abuses being perpetrated by these church groups, the MP rather approves of their activities. My question has always been who protects the ordinary Ghanaian? What about “sakawa “ activities engaged in by a cross section of the youth of the country, tertiary students included, to enrich themselves overnight? What campaigns have been launched by various SRCs to eradicate extortion from the country? These days, student ingenuity is manifested in examination malpractices in our learning institutions; currently, some employers do not even trust the degrees awarded to graduates. In spite of the negative connotations, I am yet to witness any SRC initiate a campaign to eradicate or reduce examination malpractices. I could go on with the examples. Need I mention politicians who deceive the electorate with promises they never intend to fulfil, during election campaign? What about the mindless murder of Ghanaians on our roads through reckless driving, and allowing such behaviour to go unpunished? We are so pathetic at waste management that the country is engulfed by filth, because Ghanaians refuse to clean. Does Ghanaian culture endorse any of the atrocities listed above? From the Biblical perspective, all the practices mentioned above are just as morally wrong. Somebody please teach me Ghanaian culture because I know of only one. It is humane and practical, not perverse!

Whether Ghanaians accept it or not, homosexuality has always existed in the country, and is practiced by people from all walks of life. Some of these are people who have been trained by the nation; others are knowledgeable people who have so much to offer the nation in all productive sectors. Should they be ostracized or persecuted because of their lifestyle and allow their potential to be wasted? Other communities have been able to accept homosexuals because they are resourceful human beings and contribute to community development. That is where Prime Minister David Cameron and President Obama are coming from. The grants and aid England and United States (US) give to Ghana include taxes and donations from homosexuals. At least, Westerners are being practical. One can object to a lifestyle without hating the individuals who indulge in it. Acknowledging the humanity of homosexuals and respecting their rights does not imply adopting their lifestyle. Ghanaians should be able to make that distinction. Even Hollywood has reservations about homosexuality. Whilst the leaders mentioned above do not have the right to dictate to any nation, they certainly can help to unmask Ghanaian hypocrisy, which is what the noise about homosexuality really is. It is absolutely repulsive to close an eye to one wrongdoing and shine the beam full blast on others of the same magnitude. It is equally reprehensible to condemn an act but accept the benefits it offers. I wish England and the US would call Ghana’s bluff. That might compel leadership to sit down and govern--actually crack their brains, strategize and utilize national resources for national development. That is what they get elected for. 

For once Ghanaians should practice honesty and drop the superficiality which has become the hallmark of the nation. If people object to homosexual lifestyles mainly because of Christian sentiments, then they also know that condemnation really belongs to God and not to any human being. Only the creator has the moral right to set standards for humans; and in His own time, he would deal with those who disregard His moral standards. Until such time, let each of us work to better our own shortcomings and strive for moral excellence. Live and let live, for the world is big enough all. It takes all sorts of people to make up the world, another reality no one can ignore. I hate hypocrisy so if Ghanaians continue with this vicious hate campaign, then I repeat Jesus’ invitation: “[S]/he that is without sin among [us], let him[/her] first cast a stone at [the homosexuals]” (John 8:7: King James Bible).