Accra: The Design and Technology Institute (DTI) recently hosted Mr. George Opare Addo, the Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment, to discuss enhancing collaboration on skills development, youth employability, and future-ready training models. This engagement is part of DTI's ongoing efforts to deepen national partnerships that align with Ghana's workforce priorities and global labour market opportunities.
According to Ghana News Agency, the Minister was welcomed by Ms. Constance Elizabeth Swaniker, Founder and President of DTI, along with the institute's leadership team. During his visit, Mr. Opare Addo toured DTI's facilities, including welding and fabrication workshops, CAD/CAM laboratories, multimedia and sound studios, and creative arts spaces. He praised the institute's organisation and discipline, noting DTI's significant investment in modern equipment and infrastructure as a major contribution to strengthening Ghana's technical skills pipeline.
DTI emphasized its integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) within its training delivery, highlighting digital literacy and innovation-driven learning as key components of its academic model under the Precision Quality (PQ) ethos. The Minister stressed the importance of viewing AI as a tool that enhances skills development. He also underscored the need for Ghana to incorporate digital and AI-related competencies into vocational and technical training to keep young individuals competitive in the evolving job market.
Mr. Opare Addo highlighted the Government's National Apprenticeship Programme, implemented through the Youth Employment Agency (YEA), as crucial for scaling structured skills development nationwide. Discussions at the meeting explored potential collaboration where DTI could serve as a training institution within the programme, leveraging its facilities and discipline-centred delivery model to provide quality-assured apprenticeship pathways.
Both parties expressed optimism about developing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formalize their collaboration. The meeting also addressed opportunities in international labour mobility for Ghana, with the Minister noting the constraints of language gaps and inadequate certification that sometimes limit Ghana's competitiveness. He commended DTI's work-readiness culture, focus on soft skills, and commitment to internationally benchmarked standards, which are crucial for advancing Ghana's position in global labour markets.
DTI highlighted its international accreditations, including the American Welding Society (AWS) SENSE accreditation and Pearson BTEC accreditation for Creative Media and Engineering pathways, enhancing Ghana's credibility in labour export markets. The Minister mentioned Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda as countries ahead in labour export preparedness and welcomed a strengthened partnership with DTI to accelerate Ghana's progress.
Mr. Opare Addo also agreed to establish a joint working group between the Ministry and DTI to advance shared priorities, including enhancing structured apprenticeship pathways and improving employability outcomes. He indicated plans to facilitate further engagement with other relevant ministries to explore complementary collaborations. Ms. Swaniker expressed gratitude for the Minister's visit and reaffirmed DTI's commitment to partnering with the government to scale quality skills development and position Ghanaian youth for global competitiveness.
The visit highlights DTI's growing role within Ghana's skills development ecosystem and reflects a shared commitment to building a skilled, disciplined, and future-ready workforce.