Education Minister Urges TVET Week Committee to Prioritize Resource Mobilization for Promoting TVET as Youth’s Preferred Career Path
In a significant move aimed at repositioning Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as a top-tier career option for Ghanaian youth, the Ministry of Education, through the Ghana TVET Service (GTVETS), has inaugurated a 14-member planning committee to oversee preparations for the National TVET Week 2025.
The committee was formally inaugurated on Wednesday, June 4, 2024, by Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, who used the occasion to underscore the government’s commitment to revamping TVET in Ghana. He stressed that the committee’s role goes far beyond organizing an event and charged its members to become advocates for a national TVET transformation agenda.
“I challenge you to act as champions for TVET across the country. Your duty includes mobilizing the resources, partnerships, and public support necessary to position TVET as the first-choice pathway for young people in Ghana,” the Minister stated.
Broader Mandate Beyond Event Planning
The Minister emphasized that the committee must focus not only on the logistics of National TVET Week but also on public sensitization, stakeholder engagement, and efforts to close the existing gap between training and labour market demands. He called for greater emphasis on Competency-Based Training (CBT) and stronger collaboration between industry and training institutions.
Mr. Iddrisu identified poor funding as one of the biggest hurdles facing the TVET sector and announced a major step toward resolving that challenge—a proposal for a dedicated TVET Fund.
“Sustainable financing is key to the future of technical and vocational education,” he noted. “This proposed fund will support government-led initiatives like the National Apprenticeship Programme and provide long-term investment in TVET infrastructure nationwide.”
He further revealed that the President of Ghana has approved the resumption and completion of nine stalled projects under the Planet One Initiative, which aims to strengthen educational infrastructure across the country. These efforts, according to the Minister, reflect the government’s intention to ensure every Ghanaian youth has access to quality technical education and hands-on training.
National TVET Week 2025: A Catalyst for Change
The National TVET Week, scheduled to begin with a national awareness campaign on July 15, 2025, will align with World Youth Skills Day, and culminate in a week-long event in November 2025. The event aims to showcase the importance of skills training and its contribution to economic development, entrepreneurship, and youth employment.
Speaking about the broader goal of the campaign, Mr. Abdul Fatah Maigah Mahama, Deputy Director General (Management Services) of GTVETS, highlighted that TVET Week is designed to correct widespread misconceptions about vocational education.
“We want to shift the narrative. Globally, TVET has proven to be a powerful tool for creating jobs and developing a competent workforce. Through this campaign, we’ll highlight innovations from TVET institutions and inspire the next generation to pursue skill-based education,” he explained.
The week’s events will spotlight student innovations, institutional achievements, and collaborative projects between schools and industries. The initiative seeks to boost enrollment, enhance public perception, and present TVET as a forward-looking solution to Ghana’s unemployment challenges.
Leadership and Expertise Steering the Initiative
Nana Ama Mensah, Chairperson of the planning committee, expressed confidence in the group’s ability to deliver a successful programme.
“It is a privilege to lead such a dedicated team. We are committed to advancing the government’s vision of transforming TVET into a mainstream, desirable option for all Ghanaian youth,” she said.
The committee includes professionals from diverse backgrounds—Christian Agorda, Mr. Mawuli Sogbe, Mr. Kennedy Wormi, Ms. Mary Theresah Yaadar, among others—as well as a representative from a key development partner. Their combined expertise is expected to ensure strong coordination and effective implementation.
Ghana TVET Service: A Unified Force for Skills Development
The Ghana TVET Service, established under the Pre-Tertiary Education Act 2020 (Act 1049), serves as the central body overseeing technical and vocational education in Ghana. The law consolidated TVET programmes from nine ministries under one umbrella, extending oversight to public, private, informal, and non-formal providers.
Its mission is to implement policies and programmes that promote accessible, high-quality technical education for all.
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