Kumasi: The Institution of Engineering and Technology, Ghana (IET-Ghana) is advocating for the extension of financial allowances currently provided to teacher and nursing trainees to also include engineering students. Mr. Henry Kwadwo Boateng, President of IET-Ghana, addressed this issue during an induction ceremony for newly qualified engineers in Kumasi, emphasizing the need for governmental support for engineering students in technical universities and vocational institutions.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Boateng questioned the rationale behind the continued financial support for teacher and nursing trainees, originally introduced to address personnel shortages, while similar support is denied to engineering students. He argued that engineering is pivotal to industrialization, infrastructure development, and technological advancement, which are crucial for national competitiveness.
Mr. Boateng further highlighted the importance of engineering professionals for Ghana’s industrial future, calling for policies that encourage more students to pursue engineering courses. His comments come in the wake of President John Dramani Mahama’s announcement on May 29, 2025, regarding the full restoration of nursing training allowances, effective January 2026, which also included arrears payment.
Engr. Boateng stressed that the most significant professional gap in Ghana lies not in teaching or nursing, but in engineering, technical, and skilled artisanship fields. He acknowledged the benefits of the President’s announcement for the teaching and nursing professions but criticized the exclusion of engineering students from similar financial programs.
He pointed out the irony of Ghana relying on foreign artisans due to better training investments in their home countries, while local talent remains unsupported. Engr. Boateng posed critical questions to policymakers about the necessity of extending allowances to engineering students to motivate the future builders of Ghana.
He clarified that his stance was not a request for favoritism but a call for fairness in national interest, warning against neglecting professionals essential for Ghana’s future development. Engr. Boateng formally appealed to President Mahama and other leaders to reassess trainee support programs to include engineering students.
He urged seriousness towards engineering if the country aims for industrialization, job creation, and self-reliance. The IET-Ghana President encouraged new inductees to embrace their roles with purpose, reminding them of their pivotal role in Ghana’s technical future.
Engr. Abdul Aziz Abubakar, Chairman of IET-Ghana Middle Belt, urged the new engineers to apply their technical expertise in addressing national challenges, particularly the annual flooding issues, despite existing obstacles in their field.