Ministry standardises curriculum of hospitality schools.(22/12/08)

THE Ministry of Tourism and Diasporan Relations has standardised and improved the curriculum of all the hospitality training institutions at the pre-tertiary level in the country.
This is to provide students in the hospitality and tourism industry with the appropriate skills to produce world-class professionals needed in the sector.
The sector Minister, Mrs Oboshie Sai Cofie, who announced this in a speech read on her behalf at the graduation ceremony of the School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management at the weekend in Accra, said the ministry strategy sought to establish accreditation for institutions to reflect the quality training and specialised knowledge gained for the advancement of hospitality industry.
She explained that the strategy was developed against the background of the different curricula, examinations and certificates that various institutions in the country used in training students in the field.
That, she noted, had resulted in a lack of adequate and requisite skills for students in the industry.
She said the strategy was aimed at filling the vacuum by blending theory and practice to produce professional personnel needed in the sector.
Mrs Sai-Cofie said although the ministry was facing some financial constraints, “the ministry and its agencies have been committed to the vigorous promotion and marketing of the country and what it offered both locally and at various international fora”.
She, therefore, urged practitioners and tourism enterprises to respond to policies and strides in the industry by providing professional customer service, which she believed, could only come through exceptionally trained staff.
The Executive Director of the school, Mr Goyimwole Enukomeko Kpodo, advised the graduates to exhibit professionalism in their service, with no regard to one’s country of origin, race, tribe or religion.
He said all customers, particularly tourists needed to be served and treated without discrimination.
One hundred and forty-five students graduated, with 79 receiving certificates, 50 with diploma certificates and 16 short course certificates.
Seven of them were given special awards for academic excellence.
Ms Helene Senami Zinsou was awarded the Overall Best Student for the 2007/2008 academic year; Ms Elizabeth Darley Baah and Mr Maxwell Amo-Mensah being the best students in the diploma category; Ms Mawuana Donney Aryee and Ms Yemoteley Odoi were best project work presenters.
For the certificate category, Ms Ophelia Foli and Mr Frank Obeng were awarded certificates for being the best students.