The Director-General of the Commission for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (CTVET), Mr. Zakaria Sulemana, has underscored the critical need for TVET institutions to embrace environmental sustainability, green innovation, and digital transformation to align with the evolving demands of the 21st-century workforce.

Speaking through the Deputy Director-General of CTVET, Mr. Abdul-Rahaman Zakaria, at the official launch of the Kumasi Technical University (KsTU) Institute of Research, Innovation, and Development (IRID)'s National Quiz on Garbage Sorting and Environmental Sustainability, Mr. Sulemana emphasised that the future of technical and vocational education lies in its ability to produce learners equipped with relevant, industry-driven skills.

“It is no longer sufficient to teach theory alone.

Our learners must engage in practical, hands-on training that focuses on innovation and creation within the framework of sustainable development,” he stated.

He called for the integration of environmental sustainability principles into all curricula across technical universities and vocational institutions, urging stakeholders to build a workforce capable of driving community transformation and global impact.

The launch event formed part of the Ghana Skills Development Fund (GSDF) 2025 Garbage Sorting Project, a collaborative effort between CTVET and KsTU’s IRID.

The project seeks to promote environmental awareness and practical sustainability education through a national quiz competition on garbage sorting and environmental stewardship.

The initiative will see the participation of 34 Senior High Schools across the Ashanti Region.

Prof. Smart Sarpong, Director of IRID at KsTU, explained the rationale behind the project, noting that it aims to foster environmental responsibility among young people and equip them with the knowledge and practical skills to contribute to a cleaner, greener Ghana.

“This project is a practical demonstration of how research and innovation can drive behavioural change and sustainable development,” Prof. Sarpong remarked.

The National Quiz on Garbage Sorting and Environmental Sustainability is expected to ignite interest in green practices and serve as a model for incorporating sustainability into the broader educational landscape.