Filed by: Issah Abdul-Latif
The Wa Technical Institute has held its maiden graduation ceremony, graduating its pioneer cohort of students under the Competency-Based Training (CBT) programme and challenging them to transform their newly acquired skills into sustainable careers and businesses.
A total of 359 graduates were presented with qualifications in various technical and vocational disciplines at a ceremony held at the Institute’s Multi-Purpose Hall in Wa on Saturday, Aug 8, 2026.
The qualifying areas include Automotive Engineering, Welding, Fashion Design, Garment Construction, Electrical Technology Engineering and Furniture Technology.
Delivering the welcome address on behalf of the Principal of Wa Technical Institute, Saaka Adams, who was unavoidably absent due to an official assignment outside the region, the Vice Principal in charge of Administration and General Issues, Akateng Papinian Christian, described the occasion as a historic milestone for the Institute and the graduates.
He said the ceremony was not only about awarding certificates but also to celebrate the resilience and determination of young people who had acquired practical skills through apprenticeships in the non-formal sector.
According to him, many of the graduates had previously been unable to progress beyond primary or junior high school, despite possessing valuable skills, talents and the desire to improve their livelihoods.
Mr. Akateng said the CBT programme had provided such individuals with an opportunity to formalise their skills and obtain recognised qualifications.
“Through the CBT concept and system and the commitment of Wa Technical Institute, we opened a big door for them. A door that says: their hands, skills, and future matter a lot,” he stated.
He noted that the graduates had demonstrated that practical skills could provide a pathway to further education and professional development, thus, encouraged the graduates to continue their education, become innovative and use their skills to create employment opportunities for themselves and others.
“The nation needs your skills. Do not hide them. Be innovative. Be excellent. Employ others,” he urged.
The Guest Speaker, Prof. Hamidatu Daramani, Vice Chancellor of Dr. Hilla Limann Technical University, challenged the graduates to look beyond the certificates they received and focus on developing competence, creativity and good character.
Speaking on the theme “Skills, Not Just Certificates: Building a Career That Pays,” Prof. Daramani said a certificate could open doors, but it was the graduate’s ability to deliver quality work that would determine whether those opportunities translated into sustainable careers.
“That certificate in your hand opens the door. But it is what you can do that keeps you in the room,” she said, encouraging the graduates to see themselves as potential job creators rather than waiting for vacancies to be advertised.
Prof. Daramani said there were numerous opportunities within Wa, the Upper West Region and Ghana for people with practical technical skills.
She cited areas such as solar installation, automobile servicing, welding, construction, ICT services and agricultural machinery as fields where graduates could establish businesses and provide employment for others.
“The money is not only in Accra and other places. The money is where there is a problem and you have been trained to solve problems,” she said.
She urged the graduates to build their careers around quality, reliability and professionalism, stressing that a strong reputation could become more valuable than the certificate itself. “Don’t chase titles. Chase mastery. Don’t chase quick money. Chase a reputation.”
Prof. Daramani further encouraged the graduates to take pride in technical and vocational professions, describing skilled workers as essential to the development of every economy. She urged them to become people their communities could depend on whenever technical problems needed solutions.
Also speaking at the ceremony, Jinsung Abdul-Rashid, Secretary of the Garages Association in the Upper West Region, expressed his excitement over the successful completion of the programme.
He congratulated the graduates and encouraged them to make good use of the knowledge and qualifications they had acquired.
Mr. Jinsung also called on members of the public, particularly young people, to take advantage of opportunities in technical and vocational education to acquire practical skills that could improve their livelihoods.
The maiden graduation ceremony marks a significant milestone for the Wa Technical Institute as it seeks to bridge the gap between formal education and practical skills development, particularly among young people and apprentices in the region.
The ceremony brought together educationists, traditional and religious leaders, parents and guardians, master craftsmen, industry representatives, and other stakeholders.
The Institute’s leadership urged the graduates to regard the ceremony not as the end of their educational journey but as the beginning of a new chapter filled with opportunities for further education, entrepreneurship and professional growth.
The message to the pioneer graduates was clear: their certificates may open doors, but their skills, attitude, innovation and commitment to quality will determine how far they go.
