TVET a national imperative for Ghana’s development – ATTC Principal

The Principal of the Accra Technical Training Centre (ATTC) and President of the Conference of Principals of Technical Institutions in Ghana (COPTIG), Mr Zako Dometi, has emphasised that Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) is not merely an option but a national imperative essential for Ghana’s sustainable development.

Speaking at the second day of the Conference of Principals of Technical Institutions in Ghana (COPTIG), Mr Dometi underscored that TVET remains the country’s most reliable pathway toward economic diversification, social inclusion, and sustainable growth.

He stressed the need for diversified and robust funding sources—ranging from government allocations and dedicated levies to public-private partnerships and international grants—to transform institutions, upgrade infrastructure, and make technical education as appealing and rewarding as any other academic field.

Mr Dometi called for a collective effort to ensure that every young Ghanaian recognises a bright and viable future in skilled professions, which he said forms the backbone of the nation’s industrial and technological progress.

He further highlighted the critical role of TVET technicians in managing and maintaining key national installations, noting that their work directly impacts national security and economic stability.

“TVET and everything about it must be treated as a matter of national interest,” Mr Dometi asserted, urging policymakers, industry leaders, and citizens to prioritise technical education in national planning and investment decisions.

The Acting Director-General of the Ghana TVET Service, Eng. Dr Eric Kofi Adzroe has underscored the critical role of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in shaping Ghana’s economic transformation, industrial growth, and digital advancement.

Dr Adzroe said Ghana’s progress is being built daily “in workshops, classrooms, and laboratories where skills are developed and innovation is nurtured,” stressing that TVET must remain central to the country’s development agenda.

He praised the leadership of His Excellency John Dramani Mahama and the Minister of Education, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, for maintaining TVET as a national priority, noting that ongoing reforms and investments clearly demonstrate the government’s resolve to make technical education the first choice for young Ghanaians rather than a fallback option.

Dr Adzroe outlined several initiatives being implemented under the Ghana TVET Service to modernise and strengthen technical education. These include:

Infrastructure modernisation and instructor capacity building.

Digital transformation through smart classrooms, e-learning platforms, and a comprehensive management information system.

Dr Adzroe stressed that sustainability must be a guiding principle of all TVET programs, with a focus on climate resilience, environmental responsibility, and green innovation. He urged trainers and students to become “artisans who build responsibly, innovators who think sustainably, and entrepreneurs who solve real-world challenges with integrity.”

"TVET is not just a system of education,” Dr Adzroe concluded. “It is a movement of empowerment, innovation, entrepreneurship, creativity, and national pride. Together, we must build a TVET system that is quality-driven, digitally empowered, and sustainably designed to equip every Ghanaian youth with the skills to create, compete, and contribute to national development.”

The conference, themed “Revolutionising Workplace Learning: Challenges, Opportunities, and Solutions for a Sustainable Future,” forms part of the activities under the Enhancing Market Participation and Learning Opportunities for Young Women (EMPLOY) project, by WUSC, a five-year initiative funded by Global Affairs Canada.