CTVET D-G pushes for 50% youth enrollment in sub-sector to reduce poverty

Dr. Fred Kyei Asamoah, Director General of the Commission for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (CTVET), has stated that enrolling 50 percent of Ghana’s youth in technical and vocational education programs would significantly reduce poverty in the country.

According to Dr. Asamoah, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) current flagbearer, aims to achieve this goal. He also acknowledged President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s efforts in getting about 10 percent of the youth enrolled in TVET programs, and he expressed optimism that, if the NPP retains power, they can build on this progress.

Dr. Asamoah made these remarks on Thursday, September 11, 2024, during the inauguration of four Sector Skills Bodies (SSBs) in Accra. The event was attended by several dignitaries, including the Deputy Minister for Education in charge of TVET and Member of Parliament for Kwadaso in the Ashanti Region, Hon. Kingsley Nyarko.

Hon. Nyarko highlighted the importance of the newly established SSBs in bridging the skills gap in various industries. “We had targeted 22 SSBs, and with the commissioning of these four, we now have 16 in place, as we already had 12 in operation,” he explained.

Nyarko emphasised that these bodies will help identify specific skills needed in various sectors, allowing the government to design targeted training programs. “This will enrich learners with relevant skills and knowledge, making them adaptable to their work environments,” he said.

He also called for enhanced collaboration between industry and academia to provide learners with access to modern facilities and practical, hands-on training. “This is how we believe we can help Ghana overcome its economic challenges and transform into a prosperous society that every Ghanaian yearns for,” Nyarko added.

The four newly inaugurated SSBs include those for the telecom sector, environmental sanitation and waste management, and the media and entertainment industries.

In addition to his remarks on education, Hon. Nyarko used the platform to urge all Ghanaians to unite in the fight against illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey.

“If the government is to fight it alone, it may not succeed. I call on all Ghanaians to join in this fight against the menace,” he said.