Wegdam Institute Takes a Historic Milestone
By: Abdulai Sankoh.
In a momentous step forward for vocational and professional education in Sierra Leone, Wegdam Vocational and Technology Institute of Institution has officially received accreditation from the National Council for Technical, Vocational, and Others Awards (NCTVA), authorizing it to offer recognized certificate courses across a range of skill-based disciplines.
The achievement was marked with a grand accreditation and certification ceremony held at the institute’s main campus, upper George Brook, Dwarzark Community.
The event was attended by dignitaries from the education sector, industry leaders, academic partners, students, their familiy members, and Representatives from the accrediting body.
Giving an overview of the institute. Santigie Bayo Dumbuya, who doubles as the Principal of Wegdam Vocational and Technology Institute and the Founder and Director of We Yone Child Foundation described the milestone, “a historic chapter in our commitment to quality and accessible education.” He further said they started this initiative with the production of sanitary pads with support from their volunteers in UK, and decided to also empower young people in the community with skills empowerment programs, and they started with 20 girls, 3 dropped out of the program and 17 graduated within 6 months of their trainings, adding that they started receiving contracts within the community, that particular moved him to put more effort in empowering young people.
‘’In 2019, we decided to request to Wegham Foundation for sewing machines, that campaign was successful because we received over 300 sewing machines and decided to start the empowerment program outside and later constructed this building we are now occupying. It was also partly funded by the contributions of Mercy Ship in 2024,’’ he stated.
“We are presently constructing another skill training centre in Kroo Bay because we want to make a change by bringing something that will improve their livelihoods. The middle man power is very important in national development. For so long, we have lost focus on the middle man power. I want to extend my heartfelt appreciation to the management of NCTVA for the accreditation, more so when the process was rigorous. This accreditation is more than a seal of approval,” remarked Santigie Bayo Dumbuya.
In her response, the accreditation officer at NCTVA, Adama Bannister, expressed gratitude to the Secretary, who has been tremendous in ensuring they get the accreditation from NCTVA. Madam Banister said they were very cooperative on the process by providing relevant information about the institute, adding they submitted reports with supporting documents, the accreditation committee reviewed the report based on the satisfactory outcome of the Committee, noting that the institution was granted the opportunity to undertake certificate programs in six areas from 2025 to 2028 which include Carpentry, Cosmetology, Welding, Catering, Tailoring and Computer Studies. She urged the institution to inform NCTVA in case they want to expand their programs to Diploma levels.
Komba Moiwa, accreditation officer at NCTVA, urged the students to be focused on their programs and put more efforts and dedication because the skill they are acquiring are useful for national development. She gave a summary description of Colonel Harland Sanders of blessed memory, who was the founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken, who was persevered, despite going through challenging family and emotional moments, adding that he died as a multi-millionaire. ‘’There is no skill that is irrelevant, you can be self-employed with the skills you have acquired,’’ he encouraged the students. He concluded by appreciating Santigie Bayo Dumbuya for his visionary leadership and the parents for their supports to the students.
In administering the oath of accreditation and certification, the Head of Qualification and Certification at NCTVA, Maray S. Kamara began by explaining the importance of the Competence Based Educational Training, which create opportunities for people who are not in the academia world to have NCTVA qualifications with their skills they have acquired because they believe in the middle man power. He encouraged community members to send their relatives for empowerment opportunity at the Wegdam Vocational and Technology Institute.
With its newly granted status, Wegdam Vocational and Technology Institute is now poised to expand more opportunities to young people.
