As Ghana prepares to roll out its ambitious 24-hour economy policy, the GRATIS Foundation is positioning itself as a central player in the country’s industrial transformation, with a renewed focus on youth employment and agro-industrial development.
In an interview with the Ghana News Agency, Dr. Isaac Adaebsah, Acting Chief Executive Officer of the GRATIS Foundation, revealed that the organization is finalizing arrangements to assume full control of 31 Technology Solution Centres (TSCs) previously managed by the now-concluded Rural Enterprises Programme (REP).
“The REP has ended, and plans are well advanced for GRATIS to officially take over all 31 TSCs. These centres will be the engine room of our drive to industrialize the economy and empower young people,” Dr. Adaebsah stated.
Empowering Ghana’s Agro-Industrial Future
The TSCs, spread across various regions, are equipped to provide technical training, machinery fabrication, and technology support to micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in agriculture and agro-processing.
Dr. Adaebsah said the strategic takeover is expected to shift Ghana’s agricultural focus from primary production to value-added processing, a transition that is central to the 24-hour economy vision.
“Turning our primary agricultural output into secondary products like processed foods, shea butter, and fruit concentrates is where real value lies,” he noted. “With control over the TSCs, GRATIS can support this transformation while creating sustainable jobs.”
Boosting Youth Employment Through Fabrication and Skills Training
Beyond industrial output, the Foundation is placing a major emphasis on job creation, particularly for young people. Dr. Adaebsah disclosed that partnerships with international organizations like the World Food Programme are already in motion to create new employment avenues aligned with the 24-hour economy plan.
“Our goal is to absorb more youth into technical training, especially in fabrication and machinery operation. The 24-hour economy means continuous productivity — and we’re ready to be part of that engine,” he said.
Strategic Role in National Development
The GRATIS Foundation, under the Ministry of Trade and Industry, has long served as a key institution in technology transfer and small-scale industrial promotion. Established as a government initiative in 1987 and incorporated in 1999, it has grown into a key vehicle for national industrialization, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
With the impending absorption of the TSCs, the Foundation sees itself not just as a participant but as a pillar of Ghana’s new economic agenda.
“Industrialization is not optional — it is the future,” Dr. Adaebsah concluded. “And we at GRATIS are fully prepared to align ourselves with this national vision and drive inclusive growth.”
The Foundation’s expanded mandate could provide much-needed momentum to Ghana’s 24-hour economy policy, reinforcing the government’s promise to boost productivity, create jobs, and reduce poverty through sustained economic activity across sectors.
