News
UNICEF, Govt study uncovers skills mismatch in TVET sector
A NEW study by United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Ghana in partnership with the Government of Ghana has uncovered a significant mismatch between the skills taught in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions and those required by employers.
Conducted in the Ashanti Region, the research assessed public and private TVET schools and compared their training programmes with the demands of industries such as agriculture, Information and Communications Technology (ICT), manufacturing, and construction.
The findings revealed that while some trades were oversupplied, critical sectors face severe shortages.
In agriculture, the region’s dominant sector, only one out of 57 pre-tertiary TVET institutions offers relevant training, despite high demand for agro-processing skills.
ICT, a fast-growing field, is offered in just four schools. By contrast, fashion design and garment-making dominate curricula, creating an oversupply of graduates, while areas like green technology and advanced Information Technology (IT) remain underrepresented.
The study also found a ‘perception gap’ between employers and graduates.
Employers complained of weak practical exposure and poor soft skills, while many graduates felt they were adequately prepared for work.
Free TVET education has boosted enrollment, but limited facilities and equipment were overstretching schools and undermining Competency-Based Training (CBT).
Private institutions recorded higher CBT accreditation than public ones, though both struggle with resources.
According to the research, employers also reported difficulties finding job-ready candidates with practical experience.
UNICEF’s Education Specialist, Dr Tillman Guenther, noted that Ghana’s youthful population offers a potential demographic dividend that could drive economic growth.
However, this opportunity is threatened by unemployment and job insecurity.
“Increasing investment in TVET and tailoring training to market demands are critical if Ghana is to equip its young people with the skills needed for meaningful employment,” Dr Guenther said.
He called for collective action by government, private sector, and development partners to ensure TVET becomes a true driver of sustainable growth.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
News
PAC Chairperson cautions MMDAs to desist from taking monies from MPs and PWDs account for emergencies
The Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) Abena Osei Asare has cautioned District and Municipal Assemblies to desist from taking money from Members of Parliament and People With Disabilities (PWDs) accounts to fund their “emergency activities.”
She made this appeal yesterday, Aprill 21 at the PAC second Zonal Public Hearing in Kumasi to consider the 2024 Auditor-General’s report.
During yesterday’s public hearing, it was observed that misapplication of funds was a common infraction most of the Assemblies were practicing to the extent of taking monies allocated to PWDs to organise events such as Independence Day celebration or payment of retirement package to Assembly members .
The Ranking Member of the Committee, Samuel Atta Mills who chaired the sitting, ordered that all monies taken from MPs and PWDs accounts must be paid back within thirty (30) days.
;He was of the view that because MPs are not signatories to the accounts at the Assemblies, their allocations are sometimes used without their knowledge.
The Accra High Court of Ghana has granted bail in the sum of GH¢30 million to Frederick Kumi, popularly known as Abu Trica, in a major development in his ongoing extradition case.
Abu Trica as part of the bail condition is expected to provide two sureties.
His lawyer, Oliver Barker-Vormawor, disclosed the decision in a Facebook post on Tuesday.
Frederick Kumi, also known as Abu Trica, has been at the centre of a prolonged legal process to extradite him.
The latest ruling allows him temporary freedom while legal proceedings continue.
His legal team is expected to provide further updates on the next steps in court.
By: Jacob Aggrey
