Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has declared that Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) is no longer an alternative route, it’s a national imperative.
Speaking at the prestigious 2025 TVET Pitso Forum at Ba Isago University, he positioned TVET as a transformative tool for industrialization and job creation in Ghana and across Africa.
“TVET is no longer a path reserved for the less academically inclined or a punishment for non-conformist youth. Today, TVET is the backbone of national development.”
The forum, hosted by Botswana’s Human Resource Development Council and officially opened by President Duma Gideon Boko, brought together policymakers, educators, and industry leaders to explore the future of skills development on the continent.
Ghana’s Education Minister, Haruna Iddrisu highlighted several groundbreaking initiatives undertaken by Ghana’s government, such as the establishment of three new technical universities, specializing in digital engineering, agricultural engineering, and applied healthcare sciences, Introduction of flexible academic pathways, from hands-on short courses to Bachelor of Technology degrees, and a dramatic increase in enrollment from 42,000 students in 2018 to more than 235,000 in 2024.
“We are building a skills-driven economy,” the Minister affirmed, “one designed to meet the evolving demands of industry and unlock meaningful employment for our youth.”
The Minister also underscored the impact of key legislative actions, which includes; the Education Regulatory Bodies Act 2020, which established the Commission for TVET (CTVET) to oversee standards and expansion, Creation of Sector Skills Bodies (SSBs) that tie curriculum development directly to industry needs, and the Launch of the Ghana TVET Service, responsible for coordinating pre-tertiary technical institutions nationwide.
In a call to action, Mr. Iddrisu urged fellow African nations to collaborate on boosting funding, industry links, and inclusivity within TVET.
He commended Botswana’s efforts and encouraged countries to rally behind sustainable, skills-driven growth.
“Let us reshape public perception, inspire innovation, and build a future where technical excellence powers prosperity”.
