Accra, Aug. 31, GNA – The Vocational Training for Females (VTF) Program Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET) advocacy group has called for a strategic shift in Ghana’s TVET reforms, to strengthen the quality of training, employability, productivity, and enterprise development.
The call follows a perception survey where a major concern of 90 percent of TVET institution principals reported inadequate equipment, raising concerns about effective implementation of the Competency-Based Training (CBT) which depends heavily on practical training and appropriate tools and machinery.
The group observed that although the Free TVET programme had significantly improved enrolment and student retention, persistent gaps in infrastructure, funding, training equipment, and workplace experience could undermine the country’s efforts to produce industry-ready graduates.
Mr Tsonam Akpeloo, Greater Accra Regional Chairman of the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) and chairperson of the VTF-TVET Advocacy group at a stakeholder workshop in Accra, noted that Ghana had made significant progress in expanding access to TVET by removing financial barriers, increased enrolment through the free TVET policy.
However, findings of the survey indicated that access had expanded faster than institutional capacity, and TVET institutions were dealing with challenges around infrastructure, funding and equipment and training quality.
The current system he noted hindered effective TVET CBT to be fully implemented because the required needs, such as consumables for practicals which were key components of the technical infrastructure, were not available.
“This is particularly worrying because CBT is central to TVET delivery, which depends heavily on adequate practical tools and machinery” he noted.
He called on the government to create a fund as a matter of urgency to support TVET institutions to close the implementation gaps and ensure that quality of employability and employability to productivity was achieved.
The perception survey conducted among 51 principals of TVET institutions across 14 of Ghana’s 16 regions revealed implementation challenges of the TVET reforms and the forum was to disseminate the findings and discuss with stakeholders.
Ms Linda Agyei, Director, VTF Programme, said TVET had become increasingly important not only as a pathway to employment but also as a driver for entrepreneurship, industrialisation and inclusive economic growth.
Whiles commending government of Ghana for the significant reforms in the TVET sector much remained to be done, and she mentioned amongst others sustainability of the reforms and its responsiveness to the changing needs of the economy.
“This forum is therefore not to criticize but as a shared and collective responsibility to drive passion for the success of the TVET sector so that young people will not be idols and become problems to society in future.”
The findings presented an opportunity to strengthen entrepreneurship with TVET institutions with the needed skills and support required for sustainable businesses and jobs creation.
The VTF programme had continuously seen a role as an advocacy group and through it had sought to provide a platform for dialogue, accountability and constructive advocacy around issues affecting the sector.
The VTF is also advocating enhanced entrepreneurship training, digital and emerging technical skills, stronger partnership between industry and training institutions to promote gender and social inclusion.
Dr Eric Kofi Adzroe, Director General TVET Service, in a speech on his behalf described the VTF study as a valuable perspective which highlighted where reform efforts in the sector were succeeding and operational challenges.
He said a dependable TVET sector required steady collaborative efforts across all levels, including civil society partners and assured of supporting outcomes of the forum to drive improvements.
GNA
Edited by Linda Asante Agyei