On 7th July 2026, the Foundation for Security and Development in Africa (FOSDA) held a strategic engagement with the Ghana TVET Service to discuss practical solutions for strengthening Ghana’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector. The dialogue reaffirmed a shared conviction: addressing youth unemployment is not only an economic imperative but also a peace and national security priority.

With young people constituting the majority of Ghana’s population, creating sustainable employment opportunities is essential for reducing vulnerability, social exclusion, and insecurity. The session agreed that a well-resourced, industry-responsive TVET system remains one of the country’s most effective pathways to decent work, entrepreneurship, and inclusive development.

The meeting highlighted several priority areas requiring urgent policy attention:
1. Improving TVET financing through innovative and sustainable funding mechanisms.
2. Strengthening the quality and relevance of training by aligning curricula with industry needs and expanding practical learning opportunities.
3. Evaluating the effectiveness of the National Apprenticeship Programme to determine whether it is delivering meaningful employment outcomes.
4. Changing societal perceptions of TVET, which continue to favour white-collar professions over skilled trades.

FOSDA also presented ongoing research and financing proposals aimed at closing the resource gap within Ghana’s TVET sector. Among the proposals discussed were:
1. Ring-fencing a portion of the Communication Service Tax (CST) to support TVET financing.
2. Increasing the allocation of GETFund resources dedicated to technical education.
3. Exploring opportunities to leverage Mineral Development Fund resources and unutilized petroleum revenues.
4. Supporting the establishment of a dedicated National TVET Fund to provide predictable and sustainable financing.

Investing in quality, adequately financed, and industry-responsive TVET is therefore not simply an education agenda it is an investment in Ghana’s economic transformation, social stability, and national security.

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