Tuesday, February 15, 2011

DABOKPA TECHNICAL GETS CARPENTRY MACHINERY (PAGE 18, FEB 12, 2011)

THE carpentry department of the Dabokpa Technical Institute in Tamale has taken delivery of some machinery to assist in the teaching and execution of carpentry works at the institute.
The machines comprised a combined planer and thickness remover, which is used for smoothing wood surfaces to the desired thickness and beauty, a mortising machine, used for making mortise during construction of furniture and a bench saw, which is used for ripping and cross cutting of wood.
The equipment were presented to the institute by the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly (TaMA).
According to the Mayor of Tamale, Alhaji Haruna Abdulai Friday, the machines, in addition to other equipment, were supplied to the assembly by the World Bank under the second phase of the Urban Sanitation Project.
He said the assembly had decided to offer those equipment to the institute realising that it would be of benefit in the training of the students and the general operation of the carpentry department.
Mr Friday commended the students of the institute for choosing to pursue technical education, which he noted would build their capacity to choose between becoming self-employed or seeking employment with another entity.
The Principal of the institute, Mr Winstone Kwaku Dogbey said the machines would assist the carpentry workshop greatly by reducing the time and energy used in undertaking the various activities at the workshop.
“Instead of using manual equipment, which is time-consuming and energy sapping, we can now use these electric machines to do the work in a more efficient manner,” he explained, adding that furniture works could also be executed with more beauty with the help of the planer.
The principal later told the Daily Graphic in an interview that the training module of the institute had been enhanced following the introduction of the competence-based approach.
This approach, he explained ensures that the students undertake practical projects to demonstrate and perfect their skills, such as engaging in complete building and furniture construction.
Mr Dogbey said the notion that technical education did not enhance an individual’s capacity to get employment was wrong, and indicated that “many of our graduates are working with master craftsmen, whiles a few are working with industry in Accra.”
“Being employed does not mean getting a ‘white collar’ job,” he added.

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