Accra: A total of 448 young people have graduated from the Precision Quality Internship (PQI) Programme after completing industry-focused technical and vocational training to enhance their employability and entrepreneurship.
According to Ghana News Agency, the graduates completed training in welding and fabrication, fashion and apparel, hospitality, and software development, with some receiving start-up support to establish or expand businesses. The graduation and exhibition ceremony was held at the Dabokpa Technical Institute in Tamale, under the theme: 'Smart Skills. Sustainable Communities.' It was organized under the PQI Programme, an initiative of Accents and Art Ltd., the Design and Technology Institute (DTI), and the Mastercard Foundation.
As part of the programme, 53 outstanding graduates received start-up kits valued at about US$600 each to establish businesses, while five entrepreneurs received seed capital grants of US$1,000 each to expand their enterprises. The graduates were also inducted into the PQI Alumni Network to benefit from mentorship, professional development, networking, and business support.
Ms. Bernice Gavor, Project Coordinator and General Manager of Accents and Art Ltd., said the ceremony marked the achievements of young people who had acquired practical skills through collaboration among government, industry, technical institutions, and development partners. 'It is a celebration of achievement, resilience, innovation, and opportunity. More importantly, it is a celebration of what becomes possible when government, industry, technical institutions, and development partners unite around a common purpose-to equip young people with practical skills that lead to dignified employment, entrepreneurship, and sustainable livelihoods,' she said.
Ms. Gavor emphasized the theme's role in highlighting technical and vocational education's impact on equipping young people with skills to secure employment, solve problems, and create opportunities within their communities. Since the programme began in 2025, more than 3,568 young people have graduated from PQI centres nationwide, with over 800 securing employment, 365 start-up kits distributed, and 35 businesses receiving seed capital grants.
Ms. Gavor called on government, industry, development partners, and employers to continue supporting young people through employment opportunities, internships, mentorship, and business partnerships. 'Together, we can transform skills into livelihoods, potential into prosperity, and today's graduates into tomorrow's employers and innovators,' she stated. She also urged the graduates to regard their certificates as the beginning of their professional journey.
Dr. Peter Dawuni, Northern Regional Manager of Zoomlion Ghana Limited, commended Accents and Art Ltd., DTI, and the Mastercard Foundation for supporting youth skills development and job creation. He appealed for the programme to be expanded to additional technical institutions and districts in the Northern Region, emphasizing the need to unlock the potential of eager, talented young men and women.
Dr. Dawuni encouraged the graduates to apply the knowledge and business support they had received to create employment opportunities. 'You are not just leaving here as job seekers. You are stepping out as job creators, innovators, and industry leaders,' he said.
A highlight of the ceremony was an exhibition of projects developed by the interns to address environmental and socio-economic challenges in Northern Ghana, including drought and desertification, renewable energy, climate resilience, rising temperatures, youth unemployment, and sustainable livelihoods. Ms. Gavor noted the programme's establishment of a nursery facility at the institute to support nursing mothers participating in the training, reflecting their belief that no learner should have to choose between caring for a child and building a future.
The ceremony brought together policymakers, educators, traditional authorities, development partners, industry representatives, trainers, parents, and alumni to celebrate the graduates and the outcomes of the industry-led skills development programme.