Abetifi kyemase: The Eastern Region is set to receive a boost in technical and vocational education with the establishment of a new TVET centre aimed at enhancing practical skills training and promoting youth employment.
According to Ghana News Agency, the GHC5.4 million facility will be constructed at the Abetifi Kyemase Technical Institute, funded by the African Development Bank under the Post-COVID-19 Skills Development and Productivity Enhancement Project (PSDPEP). Dr. Kwaku Agbesi, a Project Engineer and Procurement Specialist with the Social Investment Fund (SIF), announced the project during the official handover of the site to Ryte Solutions for construction commencement.
Dr. Agbesi emphasized the project's role in equipping technical institutions with modern workshops and training facilities, aiming to foster entrepreneurship and self-employment among the youth. He highlighted the need to move away from traditional education paths and focus on technical and vocational training as a means to create wealth and reduce reliance on monthly salaries.
The centre will offer training in fashion, building construction, plumbing, and electrical engineering, providing opportunities for individuals interested in developing employable skills. Dr. Agbesi urged traditional leaders to motivate the youth to participate in technical and vocational programs to enhance their livelihoods.
The broader goal of the PSDPEP is to aid sustainable post-pandemic recovery, particularly in the health sector, while supporting small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs). Dr. Agbesi noted that over GHC50 million had been disbursed to pandemic-affected SMEs, many of which have significantly expanded their workforce, showcasing the project's positive impact.
Furthermore, the initiative includes support for institutions like the Ghana News Agency to disseminate health research findings from the University of Ghana, strengthening the country's pandemic preparedness. The project also aims to bridge the gender gap in skills training by encouraging participation in non-traditional trades for both men and women.
The 12-month project is anticipated to be completed in six months, given the availability of funds, and will feature an electrical workshop, classrooms, offices, and a nursery for staff and trainee mothers. Mr. Joshua Vorodam, Kwahu East District Planning Officer, representing the District Chief Executive, stated that the project underscores the Government's commitment to building a productive workforce as part of the 'Resetting Ghana Agenda.'
Madam Evelyn Dansoaa Boateng, Eastern Regional Director of the Ghana TVET Service, noted that the centre would serve as a practical training and field-trip facility for technical institutes in the region. Madam Patricia Awo Nkrumah Opare-Agyei, Principal of the Institute, expressed gratitude for the intervention, highlighting its timeliness for the school's electrical department, which currently lacks a standard workshop.
Mr. David Gafah, an instructor at the Electrical Department, along with final-year students Stephen Agyei and Ms. Gifty Owusu Afful, praised the initiative for bridging the gap between theoretical and practical training.