DTI graduates over 1,500 master crafts persons, SMES to drive formalisation of Ghana’s informal sector
Speaking to JoyBusiness on the sidelines of the event, Founder and President of DTI, Constance Elizabeth Swaniker, said the programme is transforming Ghana's informal sector by helping artisans improve the quality of their products, strengthen their businesses and create more opportunities for young apprentices.
The Design and Technology Institute (DTI) recently celebrated the graduation of over 1,500 Master Craft Persons (MCPs) and Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) owners from its Precision Quality (PQ) training program, a move aimed at boosting Ghana's informal sector's competitiveness and formalization. The ceremony was held at the National Theatre in Accra, gathering government officials, development partners, industry stakeholders, and financial institutions.
The initiative is a collaboration between DTI and the Mastercard Foundation, aiming to equip informal businesses with technical, business, and management skills.
The DTI's founder and president, Constance Elizabeth Swaniker, highlighted the program's transformative impact on Ghana's informal sector, emphasizing that it aids artisans in enhancing product quality, strengthening businesses, and creating opportunities for apprentices. The training program encompasses not only technical skills but also business management, workplace safety, customer service, financial management, and digital tools, better positioning graduates for competition in local and international markets.
Swaniker stressed that formalizing the informal sector is vital for Ghana's industrial transformation, as the country's apprenticeship system remains the primary source of skills development. By empowering master craftspeople with internationally recognized standards, the program improves employment opportunities for young people while raising productivity across the sector.
The PQ program aligns with Ghana's Human Capital Development Strategy, which seeks to formalize the apprenticeship system through structured training, certification, and enterprise support.
Participants of the program have described the experience as a turning point for their businesses, as it has improved their technical competencies and knowledge of bookkeeping, customer relations, business planning, and quality assurance. Graduates expressed confidence in the certification, believing it will enhance their businesses' credibility, attract more customers, and enable expansion.
This year's Accra graduation certified 1,583 MCPs and SME owners, with similar ceremonies planned in Ho and Kumasi as DTI expands the program nationwide. The graduation ceremony also featured beneficiaries' testimonies, discussions on financial inclusion, business registration, and the establishment of an MCP Alumni Association to provide ongoing support and networking opportunities for graduates.
Written by urgent.news from MyJoyOnline Ghana's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
