The Director of Finance and Administration of Ghana Baptist Convention, Rev. Tetteh-Annor Larbi has called on the government to extend the Free TVET tuition to private and mission institutions like the Baptist Vocational Training Institute (BVTI).
Rev. Larbi was speaking at the 25th anniversary and graduation ceremony of the Baptist Vocational Training Institute at Frankadua.
It was under the theme: Celebrating 25 Years of Providing Holistic TVET Education to the Marginalized.
He said BVTI began a bold initiative of the Ghana Baptist Convention, established to provide training to young girls rescued from ‘trokosi practice’ – a tradition that bound them to lives of servitude.
He added that in response to this injustice, the Convention saw the opportunity not to only to advocate for their freedom but also to empower these young women with practical skills and knowledge to rebuild their lives with dignity.
He noted that BVTI today serves as a symbol of hope and opportunity for all who walk through its doors.
“Over the years, the institute has equipped countless young people with the skills needed to enter the workforce, start their own business, and contribute meaningful to their communities which we are proud of the achievements of our graduates, many of whom have emerged as skilled artisans, thriving entrepreneurs, and responsible citizens,” Rev Larbi said.
In light of this legacy and escaroles that faith-based institutions continue to play in providing high-quality, accessible vocational training, he stated an inclusion in TVET education will be in the right direction.
He stressed it would allow them to expand their reach, enabling more underprivileged youth to access life-changing education, regardless of their background.
He said faith-based institutions offer unique value, integrating character formation with skills training, which is crucial to nurturing responsible, ethical citizens prepared to contribute meaningfully to society.
On his part, the manager of Baptist Vocational Training Institute at Frankadua, Rev. Emmanuel Obani, also delivering his speech, stated that the total enrolment of the school currently is 100, with 33 graduating today.
Out of the 33, twenty-four were sponsored, while nine were private students.
He added that it cost the Ghana Baptist Convention GH₵520,320 to train 24 students for three years which is GH₵21,628.00 per person.
The total cost of this year’s graduation ceremony was GH₵95,793.00, comprising of the start-up equipment and seed capital costing GH₵78,293.00 and organisations of the programme costing GH₵18,500.00.
He seized the opportunity to acknowledge MTN Ghana Foundation for paying Ghc 50.000 towards the start-up equipment.
Some of the equipment the graduated students received were cylinders, sewing machines, hairdryers, and micro ovens.
The Vice-chancellor for University of Health and Allied Sciences(UHAS), Mrs. Lydia Aziato who was the special guest of honour for the graduation ceremony also advised the parents not to see TVET as an institution that adopts low IQ students.
Instead, it should rather see it as a school of opportunities and also seize the opportunity to advise the students to be truthful in the discharge of their professions.