Over 60 Students Graduate from Ramseyer Vocational Institute

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A total of 63 students from the Ramseyer Vocational Technical Institute in the Kumasi Metropolis have graduated with certificates in Waste Management after successfully completing intensive training.

They were awarded certificates at a brief ceremony held at the Asante Presbytery Conference Hall of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Adum.

Ramseyer Vocational Institute, an establishment of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana in the Asante Presbytery, offers self-employable skills to Ghanaians. Courses offered include Catering, Fashion Design, Electrical Installation, and Building Construction, along with core subjects.

The training, which is a project of Erasmus Plus under the European Commission, is a partnership between the Presbyterian Church of Ghana and Greenvet Africa. It aims to find a lasting solution to the hazardous impact of indiscriminate waste disposal by recycling waste into other useful commodities.

Mr. Emmanuel Nyarko, the National Coordinator for Presbyterian Relief Services and Development, speaking to Opemsuo News, noted that the Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG) has observed with dismay the destruction caused to the natural environment through human activities and has therefore embarked on a reclamation exercise through education and tree planting.

“God, after creation, charged man to take care of the environment, but human activities are causing devastation—for example, illegal mining (galamsey), indiscriminate disposal of waste, and the use of chemicals.”

“If we fail to take good care of the environment, it comes with a lot of challenges. If you look around, you can see how water bodies and forest reserves have been destroyed. It tells you that something is missing. So the Presbyterian Church of Ghana is taking steps to help address this issue.”

He further indicated that the Presbyterian Church of Ghana has initiated a number of projects, including tree planting, Waste for Cash, Waste Recycling, and a Plastic Waste Management Competition for schools in Accra.

The Vice Principal of the Ramseyer Vocational Technical Institute, Mr. Anthony Sarkodie Amankwah, stated that this is the first project of its kind being implemented in Ghana and Nigeria.

“What is unique about the Ghanaian project is that we have developed a full curriculum so that after what we have witnessed today, we will submit an application to make Waste Management an accredited programme at all TVET schools in Ghana,” he added.

Also in attendance was the Chief Executive of Charcoal Chiefs Limited, Mr. John Asafo Agyei, who encouraged the graduates to make their training count. He said there are various opportunities in the waste management industry and urged them to take advantage of them.

“Waste management as a sector is very important and a global initiative that spans various aspects. There are many opportunities, even in what we do—turning coconut husks and other materials into charcoal. It could be done in different stages.”