TVET skills key to tackling unemployment, indiscipline – TVET Director-General

Dr Eric Kofi Adzroe, Director-General of the Ghana TVET Service, has emphasized the importance of technical and vocational education (TVET) in addressing unemployment, indiscipline, and economic dependency in Ghana. He urged for greater collaboration between the government and the Church to promote skills acquisition as a key factor in creating sustainable livelihoods.

Despite government efforts to create an enabling environment for business establishment, Adzroe stressed that the state cannot provide employment for everyone, making skills development crucial for sustainable living. At the 12th General Assembly of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana (EPCG), Adzroe highlighted the issue of young people completing their education without finding formal employment, describing this as a looming "time bomb" that needs immediate attention.

He advocated for a shift from depending solely on government jobs to equipping young people with practical skills that enable them to start their businesses and contribute to the economy. According to Adzroe, skills development is the most effective means to curb unemployment and foster economic independence, asserting that "the only way we can sustain economic independence and stem unemployment is through the acquisition of skills."

He also appealed to the Church to resume its traditional role in education and discipline, particularly through the establishment and management of schools, given the historical significance of mission schools in fostering discipline and character formation. Adzroe linked issues like corruption, environmental degradation, and road indiscipline to the lack of proper character development, stating that education should encompass both academic knowledge and the training of disciplined citizens.

He noted that a clean environment necessitates responsible individuals who understand their duties to society. Dr Adzroe suggested that the Church can support government policies aimed at enhancing skills development, improving learning conditions, and creating opportunities for young people. He also acknowledged the Ministry of Education's initiatives to improve technical and vocational education and called for increased investment in TVET infrastructure and training.

Drawing from experiences of developed nations where technical and vocational skills have been instrumental in industrialization, job creation, and economic transformation, Adzroe urged stakeholders, particularly religious institutions, to collaborate with the government in finding practical solutions to the pressing socio-economic challenges.

He underscored the significance of the EPCG General Assembly as a forum for these discussions and advocated for a renewed partnership between the Church and government to nurture both the intellect and skills of young Ghanaians for productive employment and entrepreneurship.