Stakeholders attending a consultative roundtable yesterday called for urgent reforms to bridge the gap between education, skills training, and employment in Ghana. This request comes as Ghana develops a long-term strategy to strengthen its human capital. The National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) and the Design and Technology Institute (DTI) jointly organised the Accra meeting.
The meeting focused on reviewing and validating the Skills and Jobs pillar of the draft Ghana Human Capital Development Strategy (2025-2057). Representatives from government, industry, academia, training institutions, and development partners attended. The goal is to ensure Ghana’s education system prepares its youth for available jobs. This addresses challenges such as skills mismatches and inadequate training.
Ghana's persistent challenge with youth unemployment and underemployment highlights the urgency of these reforms. Despite expansion in educational access, many young people struggle to find jobs matching their skills. This impacts national productivity and economic growth. The proposed strategy aims to address these structural issues, ensuring long-term human resource development. Ghana's competitiveness in the global economy depends on a skilled workforce.
Ms. Alice Amekudzi, Director of the Development Policy Division of the NDPC, spoke at the event. She stated, "Ghana’s development ambitions depend on deliberate investment in human capital." She also noted that many young people face difficulties transitioning from school to employment due to skills mismatches and gaps. The draft Human Capital Development Strategy provides a framework for investments in key areas. These areas include education, skills, health, and productive employment.
The strategy also covers innovation, digital transformation, equity, lifelong learning, and governance. Sustainable financing, effective coordination, and strong monitoring systems are crucial for its success. Madam Constance Swaniker, Founder and President of DTI, highlighted the practical nature of the consultation. She said participants gathered recommendations for implementing the Skills and Jobs pillar. They assessed risks related to apprenticeships, workplace learning, and technology adoption.
Dr. Marcia Conston, President of Tidewater Community College in the United States, underscored global relevance. She observed that countries worldwide face similar challenges in aligning education with labour market needs. Educational institutions must connect learning to employment opportunities, she added. Community colleges play a vital role by working closely with employers. This ensures that skills development leads to jobs and national competitiveness.
A significant discussion point was the increasing impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on jobs and workforce management. AI is transforming how organisations operate and manage human resources. Ghana must build a workforce capable of competing in the digital economy. The recommendations from this roundtable will help the NDPC refine the draft strategy. They will also strengthen its implementation framework before finalisation. This strategy is critical for Ghana's economic future.