Stakeholders Demand Radical Overhaul of TVET Financing as Ghana Faces Rising Youth Unemployment

The University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development (USTED) has concluded its three-day International Conference on Education and Humanities with a resounding call for massive investment in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). Held in Tanoso, Ashanti Region, the event brought together academics, political leaders, and journalists to address the critical nexus between quality human development and national economic growth. Central to the discussions was the urgent need to bridge the widening gap between the skills currently possessed by graduates and the evolving demands of the modern job market.

Kofi Asare, Executive Director of Africa Education Watch (Eduwatch), delivered a sobering assessment of the current TVET financing model, labeling it insufficient to meet the needs of either students or employers. He revealed a staggering disparity in funding: while the actual cost of practical training is estimated at GHS 6,500 per student annually, the current system provides only GHS 33. This chronic underfunding has contributed to a situation where 1.3 million Ghanaians aged 15-35 are classified as unemployed, despite the country’s broader economic growth. Surveys indicate that employers continue to report significant skills gaps, particularly in practical application and essential soft skills.

Further emphasizing the severity of the situation, Dr. Samuel Adu-Sei Poku highlighted the long-standing underfunding of TVET institutions across the country. He urged stakeholders to prioritize financing as a means of equipping the youth with employable skills necessary for sustainable development. Other key speakers, including Mr. Kofi Adu Domfe, Dr. Thomas Agyarko Opoku, and Dr. Henry Kwabena Kokofu, underscored that effective communication and quality human development are non-negotiable pillars for Ghana’s progress. They argued that without a robust TVET framework, the nation risks failing to capitalize on its youthful demographic.

To address these systemic failures, experts at the conference proposed the establishment of a dedicated TVET Fund and a comprehensive reform of the training model to ensure better alignment with labor market demands. The conference concluded with a consensus that TVET must no longer be viewed as a secondary education option but as a strategic priority for national survival. Stakeholders emphasized that unless the government and private sector collaborate to provide the necessary resources for modern equipment and practical instruction, the goal of creating a self-reliant, skilled workforce will remain elusive.