Stanley Abopam, the national president of the Technical Universities Senior Administrators Association of Ghana (TUSAAG), has noted that the ongoing national educational forum saw a disappointing turnout during its Upper East Regional engagement at Bolgatanga Technical University (BTU). Mr. Abopam, who moderated the forum, expressed dissatisfaction with the low attendance, particularly from key stakeholders in the region.
“In terms of participation, I was not satisfied with the number of people who turned out,” he stated.
According to him, the forum, which aimed to address educational issues in the Upper East and North-East regions, was expected to engage representatives from 21 administrative districts. However, Mr. Abopam stated that fewer than 10 district directors attended, highlighting a significant gap in participation from educational leaders.
Despite the low turnout, he emphasized the importance of having a comprehensive presence at such forums, stating that the absence of various stakeholders, including district administrators and heads of both secondary and basic institutions, hindered the depth of discussions. He noted that having a wider range of attendees would have elevated the conversation and ensured a more meaningful exchange of ideas and solutions.
“I’m not saying that their absence completely negates the forum’s purpose, but having such persons present would have elevated the conversation to a different level,” he said.
Mr. Abopam could not confirm whether the limited attendance was due to budget constraints, lack of invitations, or scheduling conflicts, but he stressed that organizers should have ensured all relevant individuals were present, regardless of potential costs. He underscored the significance of such forums for both the current and future generations, emphasizing that the issues discussed were crucial for long-term educational development.
Despite the challenges, Mr. Abopam acknowledged that the forum was still able to achieve its core objectives, even though participation fell short of expectations.
Source: A1Radioonline.Com | 101.1MHz | Gifty Eyram Kudiabor | Bolgatanga
