Five technical universities, as well as 10 technical institutes, are set to see upgrades in their training and other facilities, the Vice-President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has announced.

The institutions will see the construction of state-of-the-art training workshops for mechanical engineering, automobile engineering, civil engineering, welding engineering and others while existing ones will be upgraded.

Assisted by the visiting Vice-Premier of the People's Republic of China, Sun Chunlan, who is on a three-day official visit to Ghana, Dr Bawumia symbolically cut sod at the Tema Technical Institute for the construction works to begin on the $130-million TVET upgrade project, which also includes the provision of equipment and spare parts for usage over two years.

The construction of an examination unit; and teacher and staff training are also included in the comprehensive facility advanced by the government of China.

Speaking at the launch on Monday, 11 November 2019, Dr Bawumia reiterated the importance of technical and vocational education to national development, hence the government’s decision to give it higher priority and attention.

“A nation’s competitiveness depends, to a large measure, on the productivity of its workforce, which in turn rests on the knowledge and skills of its work force. Technical and vocational education has enormous potential for developing human capital for national development.

“Indeed, an effective technical and vocational education and training (TVET) system has the potential for skill development; improving the competitiveness of the work force; fostering income earnings potential of the people of Ghana, and reducing poverty.

“This is the reason the government of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has laid emphasis on education and in particular, Technical and Vocational Education as a major pillar for development. And this is why we are introducing fundamental reforms to this sector in our effort to mainstream it as a first, and not a last, option for young Ghanaians.”

The government, Dr Bawumia said, is implementing TVET policies designed to derive the maximum demographic dividend from our youthful population. He said the government is committed to enhancing TVET training across the nation.

“Our ultimate aim is to take Ghana to a point beyond aid, where we have a skilled workforce to promote industrialisation and self-reliance.

“I am particularly excited that today, we are marking the beginning of something truly transformational. Ghana welcomes investors who seek to pitch camp here and collaborate with local institutions in bolstering our technical capacity, and strengthening skills training in the country.

“We similarly welcome collaboration and partnerships in the area of equipment manufacture and the building of laboratories to feed our fledgeling technical institutions and universities.”

Dr Bawumia expressed the appreciation of the government of Ghana for the support being offered by the government of the People’s Republic of China by way of upgrading projects of various Ghanaian institutions in the TVET sector, adding: “I believe we can all look forward to a new and significant chapter in our TVET sector as we seek to mainstream it in order to improve its relevance to our needs as a country.

“I am confident that the students will take advantage of the immense opportunities available to hone their skills in order to contribute more effectively to the kind of society that we seek to build – a confident, skilled, prosperous and competitive citizenry”, he said.

The beneficiary institutions are:

1. Bolga Technical University

2. Cape Coast Technical University

3. Kumasi Technical University

4. Sunyani Technical University

5. Tamale Technical University

6. Tema Technical Institute

7. Ashiaman Technical Institute

8.  Comboni Technical Institute

9. St. Pauls Technical Institute

10. Takoradi Technical institute

11. Kumasi Technical Institute

12. Bawku Technical Institute

13. St. Josephs Technical institute

14. Sunyani Methodist Technical Institute

15. Cape Coast Technical institute