ATTC was established in July 1966 as a joint project by the Governments of Ghana and Canada. It was envisioned as a training school to train skilled workers for Ghana's industrial requirements and it marked the first major Canadian support to Ghana in the field of technical education and training.
ATTC trains workers for different occupations and trades. Currently, the school is under the Technical Division of the Ghana Education Service of the Ministry of Education.
History
The ATTC was established as a major joint project between the governme[1]nts of Ghana and Canada. Its core mission was to provide theoretical and practical instruction to train skilled manpower required for Ghana’s industrial development. This initiative represented the first significant Canadian support for Ghana in technical education and training.
The origins of the Centre trace back to the early 1960s, when the Canadian External Aid Office (now CIDA) sponsored a feasibility study for the establishment of a technical school. This study was conducted by Mr. Arnold Doyle, the Director of Vocational and Technical Education for the Canadian Province of Saskatchewan. Mr. Doyle subsequently became the Canadian Coordinator for the ATTC project. His Ghanaian counterpart was Mr Frank Hutchful, then Ghana's Director of Apprenticeship and Duty Chief Technical Education Officer.
Construction and Operation
Construction of the Centre began in 1964 under a formal Memorandum of Understanding. Canada's contribution was substantial, covering architectural services, all constructional materials, nearly all instructional equipment, furniture, and initial training consumables. Meanwhile, the Government of Ghana provided the land (courtesy of the Ga Traditional Council), covered local material purchases and labour, and bore all operating costs, maintenance, and the salaries of Ghanaian staff.
Crucially, as part of the agreement, a significant number of Ghanaian technicians were sent to Saskatchewan, Canada, for advanced training in vocational education. This programme aimed to enhance their professional skills and prepare them to eventually take over the centre's administration.
Construction of the main buildings finished in 1965. Operations officially commenced in July 1966. An initial team of 14 Canadian technical advisors from Saskatchewan, led by the first Canadian Principal, Mr. George Brown, worked alongside the first six Ghanaian instructors who had returned from their training in Canada.
The Centre's formal opening ceremony in July 1966 was attended by Mr Donald S. Macdonald, the Canadian Minister for External Affairs, and Mr. A.K. Deku, the Commissioner for Education in the National Liberation Council (NLC) Government of Ghana.
Vision
To deliver relevant and quality skills training and bridge the skills gap to solve graduate unemployment towards national development and industrialisation through Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET).
Mission
Dedicated to advancing the cause of demand-driven TVET employable skills for the youth to enable them to fulfil Ghana's technical human resource needs. [2]
Trash Hack Initiative
UNESCO launched the Trash Hack initiative, an ESD campaign, in September 2020 to encourage young people to learn about sustainability by addressing waste issues. Globally, around 2billion tonnes of waste are produced annually, polluting waterways, filling cities, and littering vast areas, including Ghana. In Ghana, over 1.1million tonnes of plastic waste are generated each year, with only about 5% being collected for recycling. Without intentional measures, the waste problem will worsen. Advocacy, attitude changes, and policy interventions are essential to address this issue.
The Ghana Commission for UNESCO promotes simple actions that young people can take to reduce waste in their communities, homes, and schools. This outreach is often conducted through UNESCO Clubs in secondary and tertiary institutions. These clubs promote transformative education as outlined in SDG target 4.7, including education for sustainable development, global citizenship education, and health and well-being education.
On 12 March 2022, UNESCO Club members at Accra Technical Training Centre (ATTC) organized a trash hack campaign. The students showcased items such as hand-held fans, pencil/pen holders, bedroom lamps, air freshener dispensers, toys, and waterholes.
The Ghana Commission for UNESCO extends its gratitude to Mr. Arko Dometey (Principal, ATTC), Rev. Mordecai A. Nickson-Nubuor (Vice Principal Academics, ATTC), Mr. Theophilus Yaw Kofito (Vice Principal Administration, ATTC), Madam Theresa Amarquaye (Tutor & ATTC UNESCO Club Coordinator), Master Stephen Teye (UNESCO Club President, ATTC), and all club members for their efforts in making the campaign a success.
The ATTC has been organising short two-week courses for industry since 1994. This was set up with the support of the French government at that time. Courses include hydraulics, industrial electricals, pneumatics, programmable logic controllers, refrigeration,[6] welding, and meteorology (World Bank, 2014).[7]
↑ "Profile of ATTC". ACCRA TECHNICAL TRAINING CENTRE. Retrieved 18 July 2019.
↑ Nyavi, Gertrude Ankah; Daakwa, Portia Nana. "VRA donates furniture to ATTC". www.graphic.com.gh. Archived from the original on 18 July 2019. Retrieved 18 July 2019.
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