The  Ghana Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Service has renewed calls for greater national commitment to technical and vocational education, de­scribing it as essential for Ghana's industrialisation agenda.Speaking at the maiden gradua­tion ceremony of Yamfo Techni­cal Institute (YAMTECH) in the Tano North Municipality of the Ahafo Region, Mr Samuel Deb­rah, a Training Assessment and Quality Assurance (TAQA) Offi­cer, underscored the pivotal role of TVET in shaping the country's socio-economic transformation."For Ghana to industrialise and remain competitive in the global economy, TVET must be taken seriously and adequately resourced," Mr Debrah stressed.Yamfo Technical Institute was established in 1977 by the then Catholic Bishop of the Sunyani Diocese, Bishop Kwadwo Owusu, with an initial intake of just 15 students.

Today, the institute has grown into one of the most dynamic technical schools in the region, with a student population of 1,332.The graduation ceremony saw 661 students receiving certifi­cates-421 from the 2023 class and 240 from the 2024 batch.Principal of YAMTECH, Mr Effah Atakorah Philip, high­lighted the institute's consistent academic excellence, noting a 92 per cent pass rate in the 2024 final exams.However, he expressed con­cern over several infrastructural and logistical challenges confront­ing the school."Our journey has been marked by resilience and achievement, but we face significant constraints.

We urgently need support to complete our dining hall, expand classroom facilities, and provide essential materials for practical training," Mr Atakorah appealed.Also addressing the gather­ing, Ahafo Regional Director of TVET, Mr Seth Asare Bediako, commended YAMTECH for its rapid growth and educational standards.He revealed that the Ahafo Re­gion currently hosts 10 public and two private TVET institutions, with YAMTECH standing out as the fastest-growing.He urged parents to encourage their children to consider techni­cal and vocational education as a viable pathway to success."TVET offers practical skills that not only ensure employment but also empower young people to become job creators," Mr Bediako said.The graduation ceremony also featured the unveiling of YAMTECH's official flag and the introduction of its school cadet corps-symbols of the institute's growing identity. FROM DANIEL DZIRASAH, YAMFO