SPEECH BY THE DIRECTOR GENERAL OF THE COMMISSION FOR TECHNICAL AND VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING (CTVET), MR ZAKARIA SULEMANA AT THE MATRICULATION CEREMONY OF THE NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMME
Distinguished Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment- Hon George Opare-Addo,
The Chief Executive Officer of the National Youth Authority- Mr. Osman Abdulai Ayariga,
Our esteemed Master Craft Persons and their apprentices,
Distinguished invited guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Good morning to you all.
Distinguished Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment, Hon. George Opare-Addo,
Chief Executive Officer of the National Youth Authority, Mr. Osman Abdulai Ayariga,
Our esteemed Master Craft Persons and their apprentices,
Distinguished invited guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Good morning.
It is a great honour to address you today at this important matriculation ceremony, which marks another bold step in Ghana’s journey towards skills development and youth empowerment. Today is not just an event—it is a commitment to building a stronger, more resilient economy by investing in the talents and aspirations of our young people.
The National Apprenticeship Programme is one of the most ambitious initiatives in recent years to address youth unemployment and close the skills gap. Its model, grounded in the Competency-Based Training (CBT) approach of CTVET—thirty percent classroom learning and seventy percent workplace training—ensures that learners graduate with both knowledge and practical experience. This balance is what will make them truly ready for the world of work.
I must commend the National Youth Authority (NYA) for its outstanding collaboration with CTVET. By aligning with the Education Regulatory Bodies Act, 2020 (Act 1023), the NYA has shown exemplary leadership in ensuring that this programme delivers quality, progression, and recognition. On behalf of CTVET, I extend heartfelt appreciation to the Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment, and to the CEO of NYA, for your vision and commitment.
To our Master Craft Persons and apprentices, I say congratulations. You are the backbone of this initiative. To our apprentices especially—by joining this programme, you are investing in your future. The certificates you will earn are not just documents; they are passports to opportunity, empowerment, and independence.
One of the most remarkable features of this programme is its inclusivity. Even those who have never been to school can now progress through the National TVET Qualifications Framework—from National Proficiency I, to National Certificate II, the Higher National Diploma, and even up to the Doctor of Technology level. This ensures that no Ghanaian is left behind. Skills, not circumstances, will determine how far one can go.
However, as we celebrate, we must also face a serious concern: some TVET institutions continue to operate outside the Commission’s regulatory framework. This puts learners at great risk, because unaccredited qualifications cannot guarantee progression. I therefore urge parents and guardians—do not allow your wards to enroll in any unaccredited institution. Accreditation is not bureaucracy; it is protection—protection of learners, employers, and the reputation of TVET in Ghana.
To training providers, my appeal is simple: come to CTVET for accreditation. Work with us, as the NYA has done, so that your learners receive both training and a future. Through compliance and collaboration, we can build a TVET system that inspires confidence and delivers real results.
Ladies and gentlemen, the National Apprenticeship Programme is laying the foundation for a new Ghana—a Ghana where young people are empowered, women and persons with disabilities are included, underserved communities are uplifted, and industries are supplied with competent, innovative workers. Imagine a young girl from a rural village, who never had the chance to attend school, training as a welder and progressing all the way to become a Doctor of Technology. This is the transformation we are building together.
As I conclude, let me thank once again the Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment, the CEO of NYA, our Master Craft Persons, apprentices, and industry partners. Together, let us expand this programme, enforce compliance, and make TVET the first choice for Ghanaian youth.
Skills are the currency of the future. Let us invest in them, protect them, and celebrate them. The National Apprenticeship Programme is not just a project—it is a movement, a promise, and a pathway to a brighter Ghana.
Thank you, and may God bless our youth and our beloved nation.
