The Executive Director of Africa Education Watch, Mr. Kofi Asare, has raised concerns that Ghana’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) system is being held back by deep structural financing challenges that are weakening efforts to produce job-ready graduates.
Speaking at an International Conference on Education and Humanities organised by the University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development (USTED), he said current funding arrangements are not aligned with the realities of skills training, resulting in gaps that affect access, quality, and industry relevance.
He explained that while TVET enrolment has grown significantly in recent years as part of national reforms, institutions are still unable to meet rising demand due to inadequate infrastructure, weak institutional capacity, and insufficient resources for practical training.
Mr. Asare noted that Ghana’s broader economic growth has not translated into sufficient job creation, particularly for young people, partly because expansion has been concentrated in the services and extractive sectors, which absorb fewer workers than manufacturing and other labour-intensive industries.
A key concern he highlighted was the persistent gender imbalance in the sector, with male students making up more than 73 per cent of TVET enrolment, suggesting continued barriers to female participation.
He further revealed a major funding mismatch in practical training, stating that while institutions receive about GH¢33 per student annually for practical materials, actual training costs range between GH¢4,000 and GH¢9,000 depending on the trade. This, he said, creates a financing shortfall of about 94 per cent, forcing schools to limit hands-on training.
According to him, the gap has direct consequences for graduate employability. Citing employer feedback, he said most industry players point to weak practical exposure, soft skills deficiencies, and outdated technical knowledge among TVET graduates.
Mr. Asare warned that these challenges are contributing to a growing disconnect between training outcomes and labour market needs, undermining the purpose of skills development.
He called for urgent reforms in TVET financing, stronger collaboration between industry and training institutions, and increased investment to improve training quality and ensure equitable access.
He stressed that a well-funded TVET system is essential for Ghana’s long-term economic transformation and for equipping the country’s young population with relevant skills for the future workforce.
