Ghana is poised to become a leading destination for educational tourism in Africa, thanks to the significant transformation in its education system, particularly in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
This bold statement was made by the Minister of Education, Hon. Yaw Adutwum, during the Africa Skills Week Summit in Accra.
The summit, held at La Palm Royal Beach from October 14 to 18, 2024, brought together over 600 delegates from across the continent to discuss skill development and youth empowerment. Themed “Skills and Jobs for the 21st Century: Quality Skills Development for Sustainable Employability in Africa,” the five-day event was organised by the African Union (AU) in partnership with the Government of Ghana.
It also featured a youth summit and study tour aimed at equipping young Africans with the critical skills needed for economic growth and manufacturing, aligning with the AU’s Agenda 2063.
Speaking to journalists at the event, Hon. Yaw Adutwum highlighted Ghana’s growing influence in education, particularly in the TVET sector.
He noted that many African countries are looking to Ghana for guidance to improve their own TVET systems.
“Ghana has incorporated Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) into our educational framework to complement TVET,” Adutwum explained. “This integration fosters innovation, enabling Ghanaians to produce and repair their own products, reducing reliance on foreign imports.”
He also pointed out that Ghana is already leading in areas like technology, coding, and software development.
“In our senior high schools, students are learning skills in coding, software, and even aviation. Aviation education isn’t just about flying planes; it’s about developing drones and other technologies that we can sell to other countries,” he said.
The Minister emphasised that merging TVET and STEM is crucial to achieving these goals and keeping Ghana at the forefront of Africa’s technological advancements.
Adutwum also announced that all African nations will convene in Addis Ababa on November 7, 2024, for further discussions on the integration of STEM and TVET across the continent.
This transformation in Ghana’s education system is positioning the country as a beacon for others, with the potential to drive innovation, self-reliance, and sustainable economic growth across Africa.