Not many years ago in this motherland
An issue with machines arose
For which trained hands and minds were sought
…for a practical solution
…for an engineering function
No more, no less
Uncovered was a collection of industrial machines
Abandoned in a prospective machine shop
Located in the metropolis of Tema
Built on a pitch on a school compound
Machines installed to spark an industrial course
To build a premier foundry
To power an emerging country
Abandoned because power changed hands
In the transition to another administration
There was a planned resuscitation
Therefore
…an SOS was extended to the premier University of Engineering in Oseikrom
Thirty or so engineering students were called
Thirty or so engineering students responded
…albeit not so confidently
Thirty or so students gathered notes and sketches
Ready to pore over theoretical skirmishes
Armed with drawings and blueprints and written notes
Clothed in spectacles and wrapped in designed gloves
Thirty or so students spent three or so months
…just to diagnose
Three or so months passed
But thirty or so engineering students failed to pass
An engineering test for a tertiary solution
The powers in power then instructed their removal from site
Out of sight but heads bowed in shame
A different kind of engineering students were asked to gather
Thirty in number
They responded in optimism
But were received with skepticism
Because they oozed out of an engineering tertiary
…termed Polytechnic
They gathered together with no lesson notes
Only trained minds and fingers
…were their practical notes
Accompanied by screwdrivers and spanners
Winding wires and power cables
Attired in overalls and equipped with technical knowhow
They set out to enable
In a month or so
Nearly half of the mounted machines were made to power
When news reached the man in power
That those powerless machines were now oozing out power
He sent a delegation carrying a letter of commendation
And instructed the powers in the school to shower appreciation
Whiles the man in power was full of praise for their engineering feat
The powers in the school handed out a disheartening treat
By confiscating all provisions donated for their upkeep
When audited
…the budget for Varsity engineering was whopping
Even after a disappointing engineering
The budget for Poly engineering was close to nothing
Because the boys from Poly were treated as nothing
When practical engineering students went back to kith and kin
They dissuaded siblings and offspring
From branching any engineering course
…not for anything
When mates and friends heard this painful thing
They shouted we told you so
We told you
Technical was meant for those who drop out
Secondary was for those who chew and pour out
For those who read science and math
For those who win a science and math quiz
But not available for tomorrow’s engineering fix
Poly was meant for those not so bright
Varsity was for those sharp and bright
This is not one of those jokes we poke for claps
This is the theory behind the engineering handicap
…of this Motherland
