A total of 166 participants from the social enterprise sector, including policymakers, government officials, investors, academics, researchers, and social entrepreneurs, convened in Accra for the 5th edition of the Ghana Social Enterprise Forum.

The forum aimed to brainstorm strategies to equip the youth with essential skills for competing in the global market and contributing to Ghana’s socio-economic growth.

Organised by Social Enterprise Ghana, this year’s event was themed “Developing Skills for Impact: Training the Next Generation of Change-Makers in Ghana.”

Discussions covered financing, skills development, and regulatory and quality assurance systems.

In a speech delivered on behalf of the Minister of Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, the Principal Programme Officer for Inclusive Education, Wilma Titus-Glover, stated, “The theme resonates with the government’s aspiration of promoting inclusive education in the country.”

Dr. Adutwum reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to inclusive, skills-based education, highlighting the success of Free SHS and TVET programs.

The Executive Director of Social Enterprise Ghana, Edwin Zu-Cudjoe, underscored the value of technical and vocational education, urging the youth to embrace it.

He noted, “Technical and vocational education offers students an opportunity to showcase their creative skills and earn a good income.”

He also thanked partners for their continued support in training Ghanaian youth.

Representing the Ghana TVET Service, the Acting Director of Operations, Assessment, and Quality Assurance, Osei Kofi, shared that 60,481 learners were recruited during the 2024 academic year under the current TVET transformation agenda.

He noted the integration of entrepreneurship into the curriculum to empower students to create jobs.

Kathleen Flynn-Dapaah, Director and Head of Cooperation at the Canadian High Commission, highlighted the importance of gender equity and women’s empowerment for inclusive development.

She announced two women’s economic empowerment initiatives to address skills gaps by providing training for young women in non-traditional fields such as carpentry, masonry, and plumbing.

The forum served as a pivotal moment for fostering collaboration among stakeholders to create a skilled workforce that drives economic growth and social progress.