Accra, Feb. 22, GNA –The Design and Technology Institute (DTI) has hosted the Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment, Mr. George Opare Addo, for a high‑level engagement aimed at strengthening collaboration on skills development, youth employability and future‑ready training models.
The engagement forms part of DTI’s ongoing efforts to deepen national partnerships that support quality skills development aligned with Ghana’s workforce priorities and emerging global labour market opportunities.
The Minister was received by Ms. Constance Elizabeth Swaniker, Founder and President of DTI, together with members of the Institute’s leadership team.
Mr. Opare Addo was conducted around DTI’s training facilities, including the Welding and Fabrication workshops, CAD/CAM laboratory, multimedia and sound studios, creative arts spaces and learning resource centres.
He commended the high level of organisation across the workshops and the visible discipline that defined training delivery at the Institute.
He also praised DTI’s investment in modern equipment and infrastructure, describing it as a major contribution to strengthening Ghana’s technical skills pipeline and boosting workforce readiness.
DTI highlighted its integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) within training delivery, positioning digital literacy and innovation-driven learning as core to its academic model under its Precision Quality (PQ) ethos.
The Minister noted that AI should be viewed as a complementary tool that enhances skills development rather than replacing jobs. He emphasised the need for Ghana to embed digital and AI‑relevant competencies into vocational and technical training to keep young people competitive in the changing world of work.
Mr. Opare Addo underscored the importance of the Government’s National Apprenticeship Programme, implemented through the Youth Employment Agency (YEA), in scaling structured skills development nationwide.
Discussions explored potential collaboration under which DTI could serve as a training institution within the programme, leveraging its modern facilities, discipline-centred delivery model and outcomes‑based systems to provide quality‑assured apprenticeship pathways.
Both parties expressed optimism about the development of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formalise collaboration and guide implementation.
The meeting also addressed opportunities in international labour mobility for Ghana.
The Minister noted that while several countries continue to express interest in recruiting skilled Ghanaian labour, constraints such as language gaps and inadequate certification sometimes limit Ghana’s competitiveness.
He commended DTI’s strong work‑readiness culture, its focus on soft skills, structured discipline and commitment to internationally benchmarked standards, describing these as critical to advancing Ghana’s position in global labour markets.
DTI highlighted its international accreditations, including: American Welding Society (AWS) SENSE accreditation – making DTI the first AWS SENSE‑accredited institution in Africa, and Pearson BTEC accreditation for Creative Media and Engineering pathways.
The Minister said such globally recognised certification frameworks enhanced Ghana’s credibility in labour export markets.
He cited Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda as countries currently ahead in labour export preparedness and welcomed a strengthened partnership with DTI to accelerate Ghana’s progress.
Responding to Ms. Swaniker’s call for deeper institutional collaboration, the Minister agreed to establish a joint working group between the Ministry and DTI to advance shared priorities, including enhancing structured apprenticeship pathways.
improving employability outcomes and access to decent jobs; and supporting scalable training models aligned with national development priorities.
He also indicated plans to facilitate further engagement, including coordinating visits by relevant ministries—particularly Employment and Labour Relations—to explore complementary collaborations.
Ms. Swaniker expressed gratitude for the Minister’s visit and reaffirmed DTI’s commitment to partnering with Government to scale quality skills development, improve employability outcomes and position Ghanaian youth for global competitiveness.
The visit underscores DTI’s growing role within Ghana’s skills development ecosystem and reflects a shared commitment to building a skilled, disciplined and future‑ready workforce.
GNA
Kenneth Odeng Adade