Correspondence from the Eastern Region

The Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment, George Opare Addo, has declared that Ghana must urgently rethink how it connects young people to jobs, describing the DTI Berekuso multi-skills campus as a critical intervention to bridge the gap between skills and employment.

Delivering the keynote address at the groundbreaking ceremony held on March 31, 2026, at Berekuso in the Eastern Region, the Minister emphasised that the project represents a decisive shift from policy discussions to practical action.

“This is not a ribbon-cutting exercise or a photo opportunity,” he stated. “It is a structured and long-overdue investment in closing the distance between what our young people are capable of and what the economy has allowed them to become.”

Tackling a persistent national challenge

Opare Addo noted that Ghana continues to face a troubling paradox, where hundreds of thousands of young people enter the labour market each year, yet industries struggle to find skilled workers.

He revealed that an estimated 308,348 young people join the labour force annually, but many remain outside the formal economy due to a lack of industry-relevant training.

“The demand exists, the people exist, but what has been missing is the institutional architecture to connect them with rigour and at scale,” he said.

According to him, the DTI campus is designed to serve as that missing link by delivering certified, practical training aligned with the needs of modern industries.

A model worth scaling

The Minister praised Constance Swaniker, Founder of the Design and Technology Institute, for building a model that has already demonstrated measurable impact.

He disclosed that through partnerships, including with the Mastercard Foundation, the institute has contributed to over 40,000 employment opportunities for young Ghanaians, while demand for admission continues to rise sharply.

“In the last academic year alone, over 4,000 young people applied for programmes that the institute did not yet have the capacity to accommodate. This campus is Ghana’s answer to that demand,” he added.

Transforming opportunities for the youth

Opare Addo explained that the facility will equip young people with both technical and entrepreneurial skills, enabling them either to secure employment or to create their own enterprises.

He illustrated how a trainee could acquire competencies in welding, fabrication, safety standards, and business management, graduating with certifications recognised across Africa.

At full capacity, the campus is expected to train tens of thousands annually, while also professionalising more than 2,000 TVET instructors, thereby expanding its long-term national impact.

“This is not just about infrastructure; it is about transforming what is possible for an entire generation,” he stressed.

Aligning with national policy direction

The Minister indicated that the project aligns with government’s broader youth employment strategy, including the Adwumawura Programme, the National Apprenticeship Programme under the National Youth Authority, and initiatives by the Youth Employment Agency.

He explained that these interventions are being integrated into a coordinated ecosystem, with institutions like DTI serving as anchors for skills development.

He further linked the initiative to the 24-hour economy agenda, noting that a skilled and continuously developed workforce is essential to sustaining productivity.

Youth as Ghana’s greatest resource

In a strong policy statement, Opare Addo rejected the perception of young people as a burden, describing them instead as Ghana’s most valuable productive asset.

“Every year that a talented young person cannot find a credible pathway to a livelihood is a year of national loss,” he said.

He stressed that sustained investment in technical and vocational education is key to reversing this trend and unlocking economic growth.

Government commitment and partnerships

The Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening the TVET sector through policies that support private investment, enhance quality assurance, and deepen collaboration between training institutions and industry.

He also acknowledged the role of development partners, including the African Union’s Skills Initiative for Africa, implemented through AUDA-NEPAD and financed by KfW Development Bank, in supporting the project.

The ceremony featured traditional rites, cultural performances, and participation from key stakeholders, including the Chief of Berekuso, Twafohene of the Akuapem Traditional Area, Nana Odeefour Oteng Korankye II, and representatives from the private sector.

Vision for the future

In an interview, Swaniker noted that the project was conceived over a decade ago in response to industry concerns about the quality of graduates entering the workforce.

She explained that the new campus will expand DTI’s capacity to train up to 3,500 students, with additional programmes in industrial plumbing, electricals, cleaning sciences, and agri-mechanisation.

She further encouraged young people, particularly women, to embrace technical and vocational careers, noting the growing global demand for skilled trades.

“Do not look down on skill-based education; it is increasingly becoming a lifeline to employment,” she said.

A national commitment

Opare Addo concluded by reaffirming the government’s support for the project, describing the groundbreaking as a commitment to building a more inclusive and productive economy.

“The shovels that break this ground today represent a binding commitment to a Ghana that is serious about investing in its people,” he stated.

The DTI Berekuso multi-skills campus is expected to serve as a centre of excellence for technical and vocational education in Africa, contributing significantly to workforce development and national transformation.