Ghana to establish skills development university with $50m from German support package

Ghana is planning to establish a skills development university using $50 million from a $132 million support package provided by the German government, according to Dr Abdul-Rashid Pelpuo, Minister of State at the Presidency in charge of Special Presidential Initiatives. The primary objective of this university is to equip young people with practical skills, aiming to address the gap between skill acquisition and employment opportunities in the country.

The $50 million will be specifically allocated for constructing a university dedicated to skill development, marking the first of its kind in Ghana. The rest of the $82 million from the German support package will be used to create a program that pairs skilled young individuals with companies to gain practical workplace experience.

Dr Pelpuo elaborated that the government will offer monthly financial assistance to these trainees while they work with participating companies, thereby enabling them to enhance their skills without imposing additional costs on the employers. He further stated that if these companies find the trainees valuable, they could subsequently hire them, while those who are not absorbed would still possess enhanced skills and experience, empowering them to start their own ventures independently.

The German government has committed to providing the entire $132 million for this skills development initiative, positioning it as a significant step towards expanding opportunities for young people with technical and vocational skills in Ghana.