SPEECH BY THE DIRECTOR GENERAL OF THE COMMISSION FOR TECHNICAL AND VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING (CTVET) AT THE SOD CUTTING CEREMONY FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A TVET CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE IN SALAGA, SAVANNAH REGION
Honourable Minister for Education,
Honourable Minister for the Savannah Region
Hon. Member of Parliament, for Salaga Constituency,
Distinguished guests,
Traditional authorities,
Development partners,
Representatives of De Lorenzo,
Fellow colleagues from the Commission for Technical and Vocational Education and Training,
Members of the media,
Ladies and gentlemen.
It is with great honour and a deep sense of national duty that I join you today for this important sod-cutting ceremony for the construction of yet another state-of-the-art TVET Centre of Excellence. This project marks another significant milestone in our collective efforts to transform technical and vocational education and training in Ghana into a globally competitive system that equips our young people with the skills and competencies needed for the 21st-century world of work.
Through the Ministry of Education, and under the leadership of His Excellency the President of the Republic of Ghana, the Government continues to demonstrate its unwavering commitment to developing human capital through skills-based education. The Commission for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (CTVET), established under Act 1023, plays a pivotal role in coordinating, regulating, and promoting TVET delivery across the country. One of our specific mandates, as stated in Act 1023, is to source funding to support technical and vocational education and training activities. It is through this mandate that the Commission, in collaboration with its partners, continues to mobilize resources and technical expertise to enhance the quality, relevance, and accessibility of TVET in Ghana.
Today’s sod cutting represents one of several projects being implemented through the partnership between the Government of Ghana and De Lorenzo. Under this collaboration, De Lorenzo has been contracted to construct and equip various TVET Centres of Excellence across the country on a turn-key basis. The full scope of these projects covers design, construction, and complete furnishing of the laboratories and workshops with modern equipment, ensuring that each centre is fully functional upon completion. In addition, De Lorenzo bears the critical responsibility of knowledge transfer through dedicated Training of Trainers (ToT) programmes, which ensure that Ghanaian instructors are well-equipped to operate and maintain the technologies installed at each centre.
The vision for these Centres of Excellence is to create spaces that nurture creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Each centre is designed to train learners in a range of relevant trades such as Electrical Installation, Automation and Mechatronics, Renewable Energy, Electronics, Electric Machines, Thermotronics (Refrigeration and Air Conditioning), Autotronics and Automotive Technologies, Food Processing Technologies, Woodworking, Garment and Tailoring, Jewellery Making (Lapidary), and Information Communication Technology. These areas were carefully selected based on national development priorities and the emerging demands of both the local and global labour markets.
Our ultimate goal is not only to provide facilities but to strengthen a TVET ecosystem that aligns education with industry needs. These Centres of Excellence will serve as demonstration hubs and model institutions for quality delivery and competency-based training (CBT). They will also be central to Ghana’s ongoing efforts to promote dual TVET, workplace experience learning (WEL), and other innovative approaches that ensure our graduates possess both the knowledge and the hands-on experience needed to excel in industry.
Ladies and gentlemen, technical and vocational education and training remains the most strategic entry point for achieving a world of work that promotes social cohesion and sustainable development. The future of work is increasingly green, digital, and skills-driven. TVET for sustainable development, therefore, must equip workers to think critically about their environment, use resources responsibly, and develop solutions that promote economic growth while protecting our planet. Through these Centres of Excellence, we are preparing a generation of Ghanaian youth who will not only secure jobs but will also create jobs that contribute to a sustainable and inclusive economy.
The establishment of these Centres also aligns with Ghana’s broader Education Strategic Plan and the TVET Strategic Plan, which envision a harmonized, demand-driven, and well-regulated TVET system. As we implement these ambitious projects, the Commission continues to ensure that all training providers across the country operate within the framework of the law. I therefore use this occasion to issue a clarion call to all TVET institutions (both public and private)to register and obtain accreditation from the Commission for TVET as required by law. This is not just a bureaucratic process; it is a fundamental requirement to ensure quality, accountability, and credibility within the sector.
Accreditation ensures that training institutions meet the required standards in infrastructure, curriculum design, instructor qualifications, and quality assurance mechanisms. For learners, it guarantees that the skills and certificates they acquire are nationally recognized and internationally comparable. For industry, it provides confidence that the graduates they employ are competent and well-trained. And for the TVET providers themselves, accreditation enhances institutional reputation, opens doors to funding opportunities, and facilitates collaboration with both local and international partners.
As we break the ground for this new Centre of Excellence, we are not merely laying the foundation for a building; we are laying the foundation for Ghana’s industrial future. We are reaffirming our belief that skills are the currency of the modern economy, and that investing in skills is the surest way to achieve economic transformation. The Commission remains committed to its vision of making TVET the preferred path for Ghana’s youth and a catalyst for inclusive growth and development.
In conclusion, I wish to extend our profound gratitude to the Ministry of Education, De Lorenzo, our development partners, local authorities, and all stakeholders whose commitment has made this project possible. Together, we are shaping a TVET system that empowers, transforms, and sustains. Let us continue to work hand in hand to build the skills of today for the jobs of tomorrow.
Thank you.
