Accra: Mr. Haruna Iddrisu, the Minister of Education, has called for stronger collaboration between the government, private educational institutions, industry, and development partners to transform Agricultural, Technical, and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in Ghana. The Minister emphasized the critical role of private-sector participation in equipping young people with practical skills relevant to the changing demands of the labour market. This message was delivered in a speech read by Professor George K.T. Oduro, the Technical Advisor to the Sector Minister, at the opening ceremony of the Accelerating Change Through Innovation in Agriculture TVET (ACTIVATE) Learning Forum.
According to Ghana News Agency, the forum, themed 'Cultivating the Future: Integrating Innovation and Inclusion in ATVET for Ghana's Youth,' highlighted the ACTIVATE Project, a five-year initiative (2024 - 2028) implemented by the World University Service of Canada (WUSC) in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation in Ghana. The project aims to transform the Agriculture TVET system. Mr. Haruna noted the importance of agriculture as a major pillar of Ghana's economy, contributing about 20 percent of the gross domestic product and employing a significant portion of the country's workforce. However, he acknowledged the sector's ongoing challenges, including outdated infrastructure and weak industry integration.
The Minister explained that the Ministry is committed to creating a regulatory and policy environment that encourages greater private-sector participation in tertiary, agricultural, and vocational education. He emphasized the strategic role of private institutions as partners capable of bringing innovation, capital, technology, and practical expertise into the education system, rather than merely serving as supplementary service providers.
Mr. Iddrisu highlighted the flexibility of private institutions in responding quickly to labour-market changes through modern teaching technologies and industry-oriented training. Consequently, the Ministry is promoting joint ventures, investment in educational infrastructure, and institutional learning between public and private education providers. The ACTIVATE project was identified as a key example of how non-state partnerships can contribute to transforming education.
The programme aims to reach more than 80,000 young Ghanaians aged 15 to 35, strengthening Ghana's human capital and economic development. Statistics from the project show that 58,942 young people have been reached through training and outreach activities, with 47,824 of them, representing 81 percent, being young women. The initiative has also supported 34,638 participants in transitioning into meaningful employment and enterprise.
The Minister stressed the importance of making TVET transformation inclusive, particularly for women, persons with disabilities, and other marginalized groups. He noted the programme's focus on gender equity and disability inclusion aligns with the government's broader objectives for inclusive education.
Mrs. Appiah Wiafe Addo, Country Director of WUSC, urged stakeholders in Ghana's agricultural sector to enhance innovation, inclusion, and market-oriented skills development to make agriculture a more attractive, profitable, and dignified career path for young people. She emphasized the importance of evidence-based approaches, ranging from inclusive training frameworks to market-linked financing mechanisms, in informing future programme design and policy implementation.
Mr. Paul Kasanga, Country Director of Mastercard Foundation, reiterated the need for Ghana's agricultural sector to evolve in response to changing technology, climate conditions, markets, and the aspirations of young people. He affirmed that agriculture remains central to Ghana's economy, providing livelihoods and opportunities for millions.