Ghana’s TVET stakeholders push for urgent investment, governance reforms and digital transformation at 2025 COPT conference

Stakeholders in Ghana’s technical and vocational education and training (TVET) ecosystem are urging government to significantly scale up investment and strengthen governance structures, describing the sector as indispensable to sustainable development and industrial transformation.

This call was made at the 2025 Conference of Principals of Technical Institutions (COPT) in Accra, where the Director-General of the Commission for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (CTVET), Ministry of Education officials, regional directors, principals and industry partners highlighted the need for modern infrastructure, digital integration and reliable energy supply across TVET institutions.

Held under the theme “Quality TVET for All: Leveraging Digitalisation and Sustainability for a Brighter Future,” the conference underscored TVET’s role in tackling youth unemployment, closing the skills gap and equipping Ghana’s workforce for the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Stakeholders warned that political interference, inadequate logistics and weak leadership training continue to undermine effective administration in technical schools.

COPTI President Ako Dometey stressed the urgency of digital, artificial intelligence and renewable energy competencies, noting that many institutions remain under-resourced, overstretched and without clear strategic direction.

He urged government to invest boldly in TVET, arguing that well-equipped schools can provide the practical exposure needed to empower unemployed youth.

Minister of Education Haruna Iddrisu reaffirmed government’s commitment to placing TVET at the core of Ghana’s industrial agenda. He announced plans for a dedicated Technical Vocational Education Fund to support infrastructure expansion, training materials and capacity building.

He described the fund as a national necessity, adding that the Mahama administration is focused on equipping young people with the capabilities required to drive industrialisation and strengthen Ghana’s position as a continental hub for skilled labour.

Even with progress, such as consolidating more than 230 institutions under the Ghana TVET Service and strong performances in national competitions, stakeholders raised concerns about unresolved challenges. They cited fragmented governance, policy overlaps between CTVET and the TVET Service, infrastructure deficits and the absence of insurance for staff and students.

Participants also stressed implementation gaps in major policies, including Apprenticeship, Competency-Based Education and Training (CBET) and Workplace Experience Learning, arguing that effective delivery remains the system’s biggest weakness.

A recent survey revealed that more than 90 percent of institutions lack staff insurance, while over 70 percent have no protection for learners.

Principals called for merit-based appointments, continuous professional development for educators and deeper collaboration with industry to align training with labour market needs. In a speech delivered on his behalf, Pentecost University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Kwabena Agyapong-Kodua urged leadership rooted in expertise and excellence rather than allegiance.

He said TVET must produce graduates with both skills and strong values, describing the sector as a movement of innovation, creativity and national pride.

The conference closed with a unified appeal for urgent action, emphasising that TVET should be treated as a long-term national investment rather than a stopgap measure. Stakeholders urged the swift establishment of the TVET Fund and insisted that resources be channelled directly to classrooms, where the impact is most needed.