Education Minister Urges African Governments to Prioritize TVET in Development Strategies
The Minister of Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, has called on African governments to make Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) a central pillar in their development strategies, emphasizing its role as a pathway to opportunity and economic growth.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the inaugural Africa Skills Week 2024, held in Accra, Dr. Adutwum highlighted that TVET should no longer be viewed as a fallback option but rather as a key component in driving sustainable development across the continent.
“TVET is no longer the fallback option it was once considered to be. It is now the pathway to opportunity and must be positioned as such,” he stated.
Africa Skills Week 2024
The five-day Africa Skills Week, organized by the African Union (AU) and hosted by the government of Ghana, brought together education stakeholders from across the continent. The event, themed “Skills and Jobs for the 21st Century: Quality Skills Development for Sustainable Employability in Africa,” aimed to accelerate reforms and policies to transform skills development systems in Africa.
Dr. Adutwum emphasized that the event provided a platform for African nations to share their innovative approaches to skills development, noting that Ghana’s own Free TVET policy and Competency-Based Training (CBT) initiatives were positioning the country as a leader in this transformative movement.
“These efforts are part of a broader strategy to ensure that our youth have the tools they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world,” he said. He added that the conference underscored the importance of turning discussions into concrete actions that benefit young Africans seeking brighter futures.
Private Sector Partnerships
Dr. Adutwum also highlighted the crucial role of partnerships between governments, the private sector, and educational institutions in aligning TVET curricula with industry needs. He expressed optimism about the growing involvement of the private sector in shaping TVET to meet the demands of the modern job market.
“This connection between education and employment is key to ensuring that our young people have the skills they need for the jobs of tomorrow,” he stressed.
Transforming TVET in Ghana
In his address, the Director-General of the Commission for TVET, Dr. Fred Kyei Asamoah, discussed Ghana’s transformative journey in technical and vocational education. He pointed to the government’s flagship Free TVET initiative, which has removed financial barriers and made technical education accessible to all.
“Free TVET has not only made education affordable but has also positioned TVET as an attractive, first-choice option for young people seeking relevant skills for the modern job market,” Dr. Asamoah said.
He further highlighted Ghana’s leadership in advancing technical education in Africa, noting the importance of international cooperation and inter-regional partnerships to address common challenges such as youth unemployment, skills shortages, and the need for continuous upskilling.
A Call for Action
As Africa Skills Week 2024 concluded, Dr. Adutwum charged participants to build on the discussions and partnerships formed during the event, ensuring that policies and strategies result in tangible benefits for Africa’s youth.
“Our task is to turn these conversations into action, ensuring that our policies are not just words on paper, but are felt by every young African seeking a brighter future,” he concluded.
