The Design and Technology Institute (DTI), in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, has trained and graduated about 1200 Master Craft Persons (MCP), small-scale enterprises (SMEs) and Artisanal persons with disabilities (PWD) in precision quality (PQ) integration into business models.

The graduates, made up of 13 batches from various communities within the Greater Accra Region, included 58 physically challenged persons.

This special group was presented with support equipment, including wheelchairs, crutches, walker support, industrial sewing machines and hairdryer machines, among other start-up kits.

The graduation ceremony, which took place at the National Theatre in Accra under the theme ‘Precision Quality at Work: Integrating the Informal Sector into the Larger Ghanaian Economy’, marked a significant milestone in empowering skilled artisans to drive national development through excellence, innovation and formal sector integration.

Founder and President of DTI, Constance Swaniker, in her address, emphasised the transformative role of precision quality in reshaping Ghana’s informal sector.

She lamented that although the informal sector plays a critical role in the country’s economy, employing millions of Ghanaians, it faces persistent challenges such as inconsistent standards and limited formalisation; hence, the need for such a transformative initiative funded by the Mastercard Foundation to elevate this sector with the requisite skills to upscale.

She commended the graduates for completing the rigorous PQ at Work training, a flagship initiative under the DTI/Mastercard Foundation project phase two designed to equip artisans with world-class skills, professionalism and a mindset of excellence.

“The informal sector is the backbone of our economy, but its true potential can only be unlocked through precision quality and formal integration,” Swaniker stated.

She further said: “We are not just celebrating your graduation; we are celebrating the rise of a new generation of artisans who will redefine Ghanaian craftsmanship, elevate industry standards and contribute meaningfully to our nation’s industrialisation agenda”.

Bridging the gap between informal skills and formal opportunity

The ‘PQ at Work’ initiative goes beyond technical training, instilling in graduates the discipline to deliver high-quality products and services, adopt best business practices and leverage technology for growth.

Swaniker urged the graduates to become ambassadors of quality in their respective trades—whether in fabrication, fashion, beauty or machinery, emphasising that their work reflects not only their reputations but also Ghana’s global competitiveness.

She also acknowledged the pivotal support of the Mastercard Foundation, as well as strategic partners such as the Registrar-General’s Department and Fidelity Bank, for enabling access to business formalisation and financial services, ensuring graduates transition smoothly into the formal economy.

A call to action for graduates and stakeholders

Swaniker charged the graduates to uphold the principles of PQ in every task, mentor future artisans and embrace innovation to scale their businesses.

“Your certificates are not just testaments to your skills—they are commitments to excellence, continuous improvement and nation-building,” she declared.

To government agencies, industry leaders and development partners, she reiterated the need for sustained collaboration to expand opportunities for artisans, ensuring Ghana’s informal sector becomes a powerhouse of job creation, innovation and economic growth.

The graduation ceremony underscored DTI’s unwavering commitment to transforming Ghana’s technical and vocational education landscape.

By equipping artisans with PQ skills and fostering formal sector integration, DTI and its partners are paving the way for a more inclusive, competitive and sustainable economy.

As the graduates embark on their next chapter, they carry with them the tools, knowledge and responsibility to shape a future where Ghanaian craftsmanship is synonymous with excellence.

A representative of the Registrar-General from the Business Registration Office, Samuel Ocran, talking on the theme ‘Celebrating the skilled hands and bold minds shaping Ghana’s future’, urged the master craft persons to register their business to ensure protection of personal assets and enhance credibility and trust.

“If you are not legally registered, it decreases your growth opportunities and limits access to formal sector contracts from government and other international organisations. Financial institutions do not give loans to unregistered businesses, hence limiting expansion potential,” he said.

Daniel Amankwa Aboagye, Fidelity Bank Ghana representative, on his part, reiterated the need to register the business before approaching any bank for a business account registration or loan application.

He indicated that risk factors associated with operating without business registration included personal liability, credibility damage, growth limitations and legal penalties.