Ghana’s Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, on July 9 spotlighted the country’s bold reforms and achievements in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) during the 2025 TVET Pitso Forum held at Ba Isago University.
The high-level event was co-hosted by Botswana’s Human Resource Development Council (HRDC) and officially opened by H.E. Mr. Duma Gideon Boko, President of the Republic of Botswana.
In his address, Minister Iddrisu emphasized the critical importance of human capital development in addressing the rapidly evolving demands of the global labor market.
“TVET is no longer a path reserved for the less academically inclined or a punishment for non-conformist youth,” he said. “Today, TVET is the backbone of national development. It is our government’s top priority for industrialization and job creation.”
The Minister acknowledged the historical challenges many African nations face in elevating the status of TVET—chief among them, limited investment, poor alignment with industry needs, and persistent societal stigma.
Outlining Ghana’s transformation agenda, Minister Iddrisu detailed the country’s strategic investments to tackle youth unemployment and underemployment. These include the establishment of three new Technical Universities focusing on Digital Engineering, Agricultural Engineering, and Applied Healthcare Sciences. These institutions now offer a broad range of qualifications, from short courses to Bachelor of Technology degrees.
“We are building a skills-driven economy,” he stated. “Our reforms aim not only to provide quality education but to ensure it meets the needs of industry and creates real job opportunities for young people.”
The Minister also highlighted legislative reforms that have underpinned Ghana’s TVET strategy. These include the Education Regulatory Bodies Act 2020, which established the Commission for TVET (CTVET) to regulate, promote, and drive national skills development policy.
In parallel, Ghana created Sector Skills Bodies (SSBs) to ensure curricula are industry-led and responsive to labor market demands. The Pre-Tertiary Education Act 2020 further advanced these efforts by establishing the Ghana TVET Service to oversee public pre-tertiary institutions, promoting competency-based and demand-driven training.
According to Minister Iddrisu, these deliberate policy moves have yielded substantial results. “TVET enrollment in Ghana has increased from approximately 42,000 students in 2018 to over 235,000 in the 2024 academic year,” he revealed.
He concluded by encouraging fellow African nations and development partners to rally behind Botswana’s HRDC initiative.
“I call on all stakeholders to support this important effort with funding, technical expertise, and meaningful collaborations,” he urged. “We must also promote gender inclusivity in TVET and ensure young women have equal access to career opportunities in all sectors.”
Source:Fiilafmonline/3News
