{"id":123375,"date":"2026-05-31T16:13:38","date_gmt":"2026-05-31T16:13:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/?p=123375"},"modified":"2026-05-31T16:13:38","modified_gmt":"2026-05-31T16:13:38","slug":"educators-traditional-leaders-call-for-stronger-link-between-humanities-and-skills-development","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/?p=123375","title":{"rendered":"Educators, traditional leaders call for stronger link between humanities and skills development"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n \t<\/i> Read Time:<\/span>4 Minute, 48 Second <\/div>\n\n <\/div>
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Educators and traditional leaders have called for a stronger connection between humanities education and practical skills training, arguing that sustainable development depends on producing graduates who can think critically and respond to society\u2019s challenges.<\/p>\n

The call was made at the International Conference on Education and Humanities held at the University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development (USTED) in Kumasi under the theme, \u201cBuilding Sustainable Futures: The Place of Education, Humanities & TVET.\u201d<\/p>\n

Speaking on the topic, \u201cThe Importance of Humanities and Skills for 21st Century Education,\u201d Founder of the Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) Institute, Anis Haffar, said education must move beyond theory and focus on improving people\u2019s lives.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor me, theories \u2013 especially in developing country like Ghana \u2013 will be useful only if grounded and applied to accomplish the need for raising our standards of living, our quality of life,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\"Educators,<\/figure>\n

Mr Haffar said many educational institutions around the world are increasingly focusing on practical applications of knowledge.<\/p>\n

\u201cA good many of them \u2013 from K-12 to the universities \u2013 have introduced Innovation Labs or Idea Spaces, where thoughts are translated into skills that make tangible products; and services that offer solutions to pressing societal needs,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

According to him, the humanities remain critical because they help develop the thinking needed to address societal problems.<\/p>\n

\u201cThough the Humanities don\u2019t give answers, they build the humans who can find the answers through the appropriate questions,\u201d Haffar said.<\/p>\n

He described the humanities as disciplines concerned with human values and wellbeing.<\/p>\n

\u201cSimply put, the Humanities involve the branches of learning concerned, primarily, with enhancing the values and wellbeing of human beings,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Haffar argued that humanities and skills development should not be treated as separate fields.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Humanities pose the relevant thoughts of the times; the thoughts define the work that has to be done, and the work informs the skills fit for the purpose of living a better life,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn a nutshell, for Ghana, the Humanities have to be fused to Skills in Siamese twins.\u201d<\/p>\n

He also urged participants to embrace lifelong learning and prepare for a rapidly changing world.<\/p>\n

\u201cThings are changing so fast around the world that we can\u2019t afford to be passive, merely sitting to listen to lectures for the sole purpose of receiving certificates,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Conference draws international participation<\/strong><\/p>\n

Dean of the Faculty of Education and Communication Sciences, Professor Faith Ben-Daniels, said the maiden conference attracted strong interest from academics and researchers from several countries.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am thrilled to report that we received over 200 proposals for our very first international conference call under the Faculty of Education and Communication and Sciences,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\"Educators,<\/figure>\n

According to Professor Ben-Daniels, participants came from across Africa, Asia and North America.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have participants from Nigeria, South Africa, Cameroon, India, the USA and sister universities here in Ghana who are here to share with us their experiences, knowledge and entrepreneurial skills in education, their Humanities, and social sciences,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\"Educators,<\/figure>\n

She described the conference as a platform for sharing ideas and building networks. \u201cThis conference is here to stay as an annual event to be organized by the Faculty of Education and Communication Sciences,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Professor Ben-Daniels said the event brought together a large number of participants and presenters. \u201cThis year, we have brought together over 250 registered participants and over 150 presenters,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

She encouraged participants to promote the conference across Africa and beyond.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe entreat all of you here today, present at this maiden edition, to be our voice to tell the continent of Africa and the world that the Faculty of Education and Communication Sciences of the University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development is the hub for the annual ICEH,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Traditional authorities urged to support education and TVET<\/strong><\/p>\n

Speaking on the sub-theme, \u201cHow Traditional Authority Can Contribute to Sustainable Futures Through Education,\u201d Nana Adu Gyamfi Kumanin Berimah Kessie I said education remains central to national development.<\/p>\n

\"Educators,<\/figure>\n

\u201cThe future of every nation depends on the quality of its leadership and the strength of its education system,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

He said traditional leaders continue to play an important role in community development because of their close relationship with local people.<\/p>\n

\u201cEven today, traditional leaders remain close to the people. They understand the needs of their communities,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cTraditional leadership is not outdated.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nana Kessie I said traditional authorities can help improve access to education and support community development initiatives.<\/p>\n

He also highlighted the importance of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in addressing unemployment and promoting economic growth.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor many years, TVET has not received the attention it deserves,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cMany young people have been made to believe that TVET is inferior to academic education. This mindset must change.\u201d<\/p>\n

According to him, practical skills training is essential for creating opportunities for young people.<\/p>\n

\u201cTVET is very important for economic growth and job creation,\u201d he said. \u201cA nation cannot reduce unemployment without investing in practical skills training.\u201d<\/p>\n

He called for stronger collaboration between governments, educational institutions and traditional authorities to support skills development.<\/p>\n

\u201cTherefore, governments, educational institutions, and traditional authorities must work together to strengthen TVET education,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Nana Kessie I also stressed the growing importance of technology and innovation.<\/p>\n

\u201cDigital literacy is no longer optional,\u201d he said. \u201cYoung people need skills in technology, communication, problem-solving, and innovation.\u201d<\/p>\n

At the same time, he urged young people to preserve cultural values while preparing for the future.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe must combine modern education with cultural wisdom,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Nana Kessie I called for collective action to build sustainable societies.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe future is not something we wait for,\u201d he said. \u201cThe future is something we build together. And the time to build is now.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Educators and traditional leaders have called for a stronger connection between humanities education and practical skills training, arguing that sustainable development depends on producing graduates who can think critically and respond to society\u2019s challenges. The call was made at the International Conference on Education and Humanities held at the University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial [\u2026]<\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rop_custom_images_group":[],"rop_custom_messages_group":[],"rop_publish_now":"initial","rop_publish_now_accounts":{"facebook_2277560469115098_106292521332774":"","twitter_aToxNzczMzI3Njk4OTg4ODUxMjAxOw==_1773327698988851200":""},"rop_publish_now_history":[],"rop_publish_now_status":"pending","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[117],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-123375","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-news"},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/123375","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=123375"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/123375\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=123375"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=123375"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=123375"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}