By Stanley Senya
Accra, June 5, GNA – Mr. Stephen Blewett, Chief Executive Officer of MTN Ghana, has underscored the urgent need to harness technical and vocational skills to drive national development, stressing that such expertise is essential for Ghana’s economic transformation.
Speaking during a visit to the Opportunity Industrialization Technical Institute (OITI), Mr. Blewett emphasised the importance of equipping young people with hands-on skills and digital tools to help them succeed in a rapidly evolving, tech-driven world.
“These skills are not easily acquired by just watching YouTube tutorials, they require intensive training and are highly valued globally. People are not necessarily looking for more CEOs, they are looking for skilled artisans, designers, mechanics, and builders,” he said.
He observed that technical skills were critical to realizing Ghana’s ambition of developing a 24-hour economy, especially when combined with digital literacy.
“Whether it’s a chef, fashion designer, or mechanic, they all need to know how to market themselves online, book appointments, and collect reviews. If you’re not visible digitally, you’re invisible,” Mr. Blewett noted.
He also stressed that while emerging technologies such as AI and AR offer tremendous opportunities, they cannot replace human craftsmanship and creativity, particularly in sectors like fashion, construction, and hospitality.
“AI can help you design a building, but someone still has to make the blocks and lay the bricks,” he added.
The principal of OITI, Mr. Mawuli Sogbey, highlighted the school’s efforts to provide quality technical education through eight programmes, including catering, fashion design, business, and hospitality.
With over 1,050 students currently enrolled under the Free SHS policy, the school is expanding its partnerships with industries to ensure students gain practical experience and employment opportunities after graduation.
“Technical and vocational education has evolved. It’s no longer a last resort, parents and guardians must embrace the potential of TVET to provide students with employable skills and career progression,” Mr. Sogbey said.
MTN Ghana is currently partnering with OITI to produce 283 school uniforms for underserved communities, a project that Mr. Blewett described as an example of how corporate institutions can support technical schools while promoting local entrepreneurship.
GNA
Edited by George-Ramsey Benamba