In a significant move to improve technical and vocational training in Ghana, all TVET agencies have been brought under one umbrella.

According to Mawusi Nudekor, former Director-General of the Ghana Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Service, this change is part of efforts to address the fragmentation that previously troubled the sector.

Speaking to JoyNews’ Emefa Apawu on the EduTalk Show, Madam Nudekor explained that the old system created serious standardisation challenges. Previously, different ministries managed various TVET agencies, leading to a lack of consistency.

For instance, the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations oversaw the National Vocational Training Institute (NVTI), the Opportunities Industrialisation Centre (OIC), and the Integrated Community Centres for Employable Skills (ICCES).

At the same time, the Ministry of Gender managed social welfare schools, and the Ministry of Local Government supervised community development schools. Other ministries, such as those for Food and Agriculture, Youth, and Transport, also managed their own TVET institutions.

"Initially, there was fragmentation. Standardisation was a huge problem because there were different TVET agencies operating under different ministries. There were different certifications. What we’re doing differently in this country now is that all these agencies have been realigned," said the former Director-General.

She further explained, “They were all doing things differently. Today, all these agencies have been brought together under the name Ghana TVET Service and are operating under the Ministry of Education, ensuring that we all use a common curriculum.”

The consolidation under the Ministry of Education aims to make sure that all TVET institutions in the country now follow a common and standardised curriculum. This will provide a more cohesive and efficient system for vocational education in Ghana.

Madam Nudekor also revealed that there are about 262 TVET schools across the country, with more being built.

She indicated that the previous system made it difficult for students to advance in their education. The lack of a clear path for vocational and technical students to continue their education at the tertiary level has now been resolved.

The TVET qualification framework has made it possible for students to progress vertically and further their education at the university.

The educationist believes that TVET is a game-changer for the nation's prosperity. Therefore, there is a need for a shift towards technical and vocational skills development.

"We have timber, gold, bauxite, oil, shea butter, cocoa. We have all these things, yet we are not developed. It is because TVET was not paid attention to. It’s adding value to these raw materials that is going to create the jobs for the critical masses, especially," she said.

She emphasised that cottage industrialisation is crucial for Ghana's development. TVET equips students with the skills to start their own businesses, either during or after their schooling.