AUTHORS, Dr. FREDERICK KOJO GBAGBA (PhD) / KINGSLEY ADUM
Introduction
Development is one of the major concerns of all countries and governments. However, countries use different methods for their development. Production, taxation, agriculture, technology, sports development, etc., are all some of the methods and strategies countries and governments have used for their development. Ghana has tried to adopt all these methods by adopting and implementing policies and programmes in those sectors. Since independence, successive government administrations have attempted to facilitate the country's development. For this reason, the country’s economy is evolving rapidly, with emerging industries like renewable energy, agribusiness, digital technology, and manufacturing gaining impressive momentum. However, one aspect of the country’s development that has not been given much attention over the past years is skills development in the form of vocational programs. With Ghana’s emerging industries, aligning vocational training programs with industry needs has become imperative. This will ensure that the needs of Ghana’s emerging sectors are met to promote development. This strategic alignment can create employment opportunities for the youth, decrease skill gaps, and promote sustainable development.
Emerging Industries in Ghana
In recent years, a number of industries that were not part of the country’s ‘traditional’ industries are developing. These emerging industries required the development of new skills to meet their human resource demands.
The renewable energy sector is one of the emerging industries in Ghana. Ghana has committed to developing its renewable energy share to 10% by 2030 as part of its National Energy Policy which the Cabinet approved on March 16, 2010, to guide the development and management of the country’s energy sector. Solar and wind energy projects are increasing in Ghana, creating a need for technicians skilled in installation, maintenance, and system design. In Ghana, some of these projects that require the services of skilled technicians include the Akosombo Dam Bui Power Authority’s HSH facility, Ayitepa Wind Farm (Ghana’s first wind farm), VRA Renewable Energy Development Programme (REDP), Meinergy Ghana Solar PV Park, Bole Solar PV Park, Tianjin Power Solar PV Park, Blue Power Energy Solar PV Park, and Nante Solar PV Park. Most of these projects are under construction and they will be operationalised or commercialised in the coming years. These projects will therefore require the services of skilled technicians. These projects highlight Ghana’s renewable energy focus, prompting the need for a workforce with technical expertise in energy systems.
Digital technology is also another emerging industry in Ghana. According to a 2023 World Bank report, Ghana’s digital economy is booming, with internet penetration reaching over 53% in 2022. The key sectors in Ghana’s digital technology economy include software development, fintech, and cybersecurity. In Ghana, initiatives like the Accra Digital Centre and partnerships with major tech companies like Google emphasise the training and development of people with skills such as IT support, coding, data analytics, etc.
Agribusiness is also emerging as a stronger sector of the country’s economy. According to the Ghana Statistical Service (2022), agribusiness accounts for about 20% of Ghana’s GDP. For instance, in recent times, value-added processing in cocoa, shea butter and cashew industries is increasing, emphasising the country’s need for increased expertise in agricultural machinery, food processing, and supply chain management.
Last but not least, the manufacturing sector of Ghana’s economy has also seen significant improvement. The government’s “One District, One Factory” programme has bolstered manufacturing in Ghana, from garment production to vehicle assembly. To sustain this initiative, the expertise of skilled machine operators, quality assurance specialists, factory assistants, and production managers is needed.
These emerging sectors of Ghana’s economy make it imperative for the government to focus on vocational training in the country. The youth must be incentivised to appreciate the importance of acquiring vocational skills, especially in the emerging economy of the country.
The Current State of Vocational Training
Irrespective of the vibrant efforts of successive government administrations in developing the country’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) ecosystem, several challenges persist. For instance, only 30% of Senior High School (SHS) students opt for TVET because of hindrances such as limited awareness, stigmatization, etc., according to the Ghana TVET Service (2023). Also, there are skill gaps among the Ghanaian employee force, where employers cite deficiencies in technical competencies as well as soft skills like communication, critical thinking, teamwork, emotional intelligence, etc. However, the government keeps making efforts to enhance vocational training’s appeal and relevance. For example, the government has established the Ghana TVET Voucher Project and partnerships with the German Development Agency (GIZ), etc., which are significant steps towards enhancing the development of vocational skills in Ghana.
Strategies to Align Vocational Training with Emerging Industries
The government can employ several strategies to enhance the development of vocational skills in Ghana.
First, curriculum modernization is an important strategy that must be adopted to promote the development of vocational skills in Ghana. Curricula must reflect current and future industry demands. For example, integrating courses in solar panel technology, precision agriculture, and programming languages such as Python, Java, C++, JavaScript, etc., can prepare students for immediate employment.
Secondly, industry partnership is a strategy the government must adopt to help facilitate the development of vocational skills in Ghana. There should be a collaboration between vocational institutes and industry players like the Vodafone Ghana Internship program, which can ensure real-world experience and training. Thus, the government must ensure that vocational institutes and students get more intentional opportunities to enable them to gain real-world experience and knowledge while studying, to enable them to gain the needed practical experience for the job market.
Additionally, technological integration is a strategy that has proven to be highly efficient in other countries and Ghana can also adopt this strategy to enhance the development of vocational skills. The government must provide access to modern technology and tools is vital for the development of modern vocational skills. For instance, the government must ensure that vocational institutes have simulators for renewable energy systems of Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machines for manufacturing, which can help students gain practical skills.
Gender inclusion is a critical strategy that the government of Ghana must adopt to expand the scope of developing vocational skills in Ghana. Addressing gender disparities in vocational training, especially in engineering and tech, can expand the country's talent pool. Initiatives like the Women in Tech Ghana program by the government and private initiatives such as Ghana Tech Women, Women-In-Tech – Standard Chartered Ghana, etc., must also be encouraged by the government.
Lastly, there is the need to upskill educators in the country’s vocational institutions. Teachers in vocational institutes need continuous training to stay updated with technological advancements. Programs such as the TVET Teacher Competency-Based Framework can help equip instructors with updated skills and knowledge to help them teach students improved skills and knowledge.
Conclusion
Aligning vocational training with Ghana's emerging industries is not just a necessity—it is an opportunity to shape the nation's future workforce. By modernizing curricula, fostering industry partnerships, and integrating technology, Ghana can create a skilled labour force capable of driving economic growth. With sustained investment and collaboration, vocational training can transform from a fallback option to a preferred pathway for success.
References
Ghana Statistical Service. (2022). GDP by Sector.
International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). (2023). Renewable Energy Job Trends in Africa.
Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ghana. (2023). One District, One Factory Program Report.
World Bank. (2023). Digital Economy in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Ghana TVET Service. (2023). Annual Performance Report.