Stakeholders in Ghana’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector have raised concerns over persistent gaps between policy design and implementation, warning that these shortcomings are limiting the sector’s impact on economic transformation.
The concerns were highlighted at the launch of the Ghana TVET Report in Accra, themed “Building TVET Systems for Economic Transformation in Ghana,” which convened policymakers, industry leaders, and development partners.
Presenting the report, Kofi Asare, Executive Director of Africa Education Watch, noted that while Ghana has developed strong policy frameworks for TVET, implementation has often failed to align with these strategies, creating a disconnect that undermines outcomes.
He stressed that without addressing these gaps, efforts to equip the workforce with relevant skills—particularly in emerging areas such as green industries and the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR)—would remain inadequate.
The report calls for increased government investment in TVET, recommending that at least five per cent of the national education budget be allocated to the sector. It also highlights the need for stronger collaboration between the public and private sectors through structured Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs).
Mr Asare further emphasised the importance of expanding Competency-Based Training (CBT) and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), particularly to bridge the divide between formal and informal skills training systems.
He also pointed to the need for improved infrastructure, digital integration, and targeted support for women through inclusive policies, mentorship, and safer learning environments.
Speaking at the event, Eric Kofi Adzroe, Director-General of the Ghana TVET Service, acknowledged longstanding neglect in the sector but welcomed renewed attention and research-driven reforms.
He revealed ongoing efforts to map industries to TVET institutions across regions to better align training with labour market demands and reduce skills mismatches.
Meanwhile, Mavis Owusu-Gyamfi, President of the African Center for Economic Transformation, noted that the report forms part of a broader continental initiative to strengthen TVET systems.
The initiative, implemented in partnership with Africa Education Watch, Toyota, and supported by the Mastercard Foundation, spans six African countries and seeks to ensure that skills training systems are better aligned with evolving economic demands.
Stakeholders at the launch agreed that unless implementation challenges are urgently addressed through coordinated action, Ghana risks missing the opportunity to leverage TVET as a key driver of industrial growth and job creation.
