Accra: The Design and Technology Institute (DTI), in collaboration with the Mastercard Foundation, has successfully graduated 1,593 Master Craft Persons (MCPs) and Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) owners through its Precision QualityS? (PQ) programme. This initiative aims to enhance productivity, formalisation, and access to dignified employment within Ghana's informal economy.
According to Ghana News Agency, the graduating class included 1,307 women and 286 men, with 68 individuals identified as Persons with Disabilities. The ceremony was held in Accra under the theme 'Formalising the Informal Sector: Honouring Excellence in Skills, Enterprise and Transformation,' attracting approximately 1,700 participants, including government officials, industry leaders, development partners, community figures, graduates, and their families.
The Accra event is the first of three graduation ceremonies, with additional events planned in Ho and Kumasi in August. DTI's broader approach targets structural challenges in Ghana's informal sector by linking skills development, quality standards, certification, business formalisation, financial inclusion, enterprise growth, and market access.
The PQ programme provides participants with training in entrepreneurship, business management, workplace safety, customer relations, digital literacy, and financial management. Graduates received Precision QualityS? Certification and support for business registration, bank account opening, and connections to trade associations and industry networks.
Complementary services from Fidelity Bank, MTN Mobile Money, and the Food and Drugs Authority aim to further integrate participating enterprises into financial services, digital platforms, and product certification systems. This model is designed to enhance productivity, visibility, and connectivity to economic opportunities.
Ms. Constance Elizabeth Swaniker, Founder and President of DTI, emphasized that the graduation signifies more than certificate awarding. It represents an opportunity for businesses to become visible, trusted, and prepared for larger opportunities. She highlighted her own journey from a carpentry apprentice to a business owner to illustrate the importance of combining technical skills with robust enterprise systems.
The programme also competitively selected 241 outstanding MCPs and SMEs to receive Business Scale-up and Apprenticeship Support Kits worth US$250 each. This selection was based on criteria such as attendance, potential to scale, enterprising capability, and inclusivity in hiring apprentices. Beneficiaries span various sectors, including fashion, beauty, catering, electricals, and ICT.
A representative from the Mastercard Foundation reiterated the shared commitment to expanding work opportunities for young people in Africa. The ceremony also launched the PQ MCPs and SMEs Alumni Association, fostering continued networking and mentorship.
DTI's initiative reflects a systems-level approach to workforce development, aiming to strengthen institutions, embed quality within the informal economy, and link enterprises to formal systems, ultimately contributing to Ghana's Human Capital Development agenda.