Graduates cautioned against ‘sakawa’

STORY: SETH AMEYAW DANQUAH, TAKORADI, W/R

Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast (UCC), Professor D. D. Kuupole, has cautioned graduates of National Institute of Information Technology (NIIT) and all students offering Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) programs in the country not to use the skills acquired to dupe people through “Sakawa,” cyber fraud and other ICT related vices.

Instead, he noted, students should use their skills and knowledge gained for the benefit of mother Ghana.

He further cautioned them to be responsible citizens and make efforts to create change in terms of discipline, good morals, positive and productive work habits and serve as role models for the younger generations.

Prof. Kuupole gave this remark at the 3^rd Graduation Ceremony of NIIT in Takoradi over the weekend.

The Pro-Vice Chancellor also urged graduands to complement their academic achievements and skills acquisition with personal development, discipline and honor in order to achieve the overall purpose of education, which he posits is national development.

He further commended NIIT for its achievement in training more than 40,000 students within a period of 10 years and encouraged the Institution to consider establishing a university in Ghana within a decade to help expand the provision of ICT education at the highest level.

In all, 54 students graduated in Business and Software Development, and Networking Technology.

The graduants were awarded medallions and certificates.

Business Head of NIIT Ghana, Vivek Verma, mentioned that as Ghana gears up as a developing middle-income country and vying for a slice of the regional and global market, there is the need for skilled and well-trained personnel.

He added that the country needs well-qualified people who are proud of being Ghanaians and are prepared to execute the plans that have already been envisioned.

The Head of Business reiterated his outfit’s mission of developing, in and for Ghana, a globally competitive, flexible and value-based IT education system with the goal of building a pool of IT professionals who would serve as catalysts in the development process.