First Lady, Rebecca Akufo-Addo, has called for the intensification of Technical and Vocational Education (TVET) in the country to create employment for the otherwise unemployable youth and to serve as a platform to train skilled labour who can be employed in the many factories being set up under the NPP government’s 1 District 1 factory (1D1F) initiative.
She said aside technical and vocational education being at the heart of every nation’s development, it has always served as a conduit for many to unearth and develop their God-given skills which they subsequently apply, to make a living.
Mrs. Akufo-Addo made the comments when she was appointed Principal TVET Ambassador charged with the responsibility of promoting wide-spread preference for TVET among the youth.
The First Lady will be supported by Ghanaian media personality, broadcast journalist and public speaker, Kwame Sefa Kayi, Ghanaian musician, songwriter, creative director and entrepreneur Kwame Nsiah-Apau popularly known as Okyeame Kwame , Belinda Addardey popularly known as Bella Mundi, a Ghanaian media personality, women’s advocate and voice artist, Martha Ankoma, Ghanaian actress, entrepreneur and brand Ambassador, Founder and CEO of Makeup Ghana Rebecca Donkor, and Daniel McKorley a Ghanaian business magnate and founder and Chief Executive Officer of McDan Group of Companies.
Mrs. Akufo-Addo said the main objective of the TVET Ambassadors will be to change the negative perception about TVET by increasing enrolment in Technical and Vocational Institution and inspiring world-class excellence in skills development and introduce the youth to a variety of skilled careers.
She said the enormity of benefits that will accrue to the country from promoting TVET is so huge that there was the need for a conscious relentless campaign which will lead to the country being established as a center of excellence in TVET in West Africa and a competitive global player within the TVET ecosystem.
The First Lady stated that while the benefits of TVET accruing to any nation is not in doubt, the attention required by the sector to put it on its rightful pedestal is so huge that it was necessary for organizations and model individuals to step in to garner the necessary support to ensure that it becomes the first choice of the Ghanaian youth.
She said as TVET Ambassadors, not only will they target those in JHS, Basic school and JHS leavers to choose TVET as a sure way of acquiring skills to earn a living, but will also focus on other stakeholders who shape the decisions these children make as they progress on the academic ladder like parents, guardians, community leaders, religious leaders, public sector and the private sector.
Mrs. Akufo-Addo said while as Ambassadors they will campaign for parents and guardians to encourage their children to opt for technical and vocational training.
She also said it is imperative for government and policy makers to be equally ready to make the sector of the economy very attractive by providing policy guidance and incentives stating, “while it is an understatement to say most developed economies are driven by TVET, if we really want to develop our economy and ensure there are jobs for the youth, then we must all join hands in making apprenticeship much more attractive than it is now.”
The First Lady thanked the Ministry of Education and COTVET for appointing them as Ambassadors in the ongoing transformation of the TVET sector as well as her fellow Ambassadors for accepting to join in a noble cause.
On behalf of his co-Ambassadors, Kwame Sefa Kayi said they were honoured to be part of the campaign, stating that he has on several occasions complained about the growing menace of streetism on his Kokrokoo morning show but was positive that an aggressive campaign to court the youth into the world of TVET would ebb the problem.
Present to witness the formation of the ambassadorial team were the Deputy Minister for Education and NPP MP for Abuakwa North Gifty Twum Ampofo, Chairman of the board of COTVET Francis Awua-Kyerematen, and Executive Director of COTVET Fred Kyei Asamoah.
By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri