The Design and Technology Institute (DTI), Ghana’s first privately accredited TVET institution, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) to collaborate in developing standards and practice guidelines to improve Small and Medium Scale Enterprises, especially master craft persons and those operating in the technical and vocational sectors of the economy.

Crafts persons, individuals working in the informal sector, females, and the youth stand to benefit more from the signing of the MoU, as it will lead to the development of standards and guidelines for precision quality and will embed precision quality in their products and practices.

It will enhance and strengthen the development of high-quality finished products through standardisation, metrology, and conformity through the exchange of knowledge and expertise.

The MoU forms part of DTI’s collaborative strategy to work with key stakeholders to reach the objective under the ‘Transforming youth TVET livelihood for sustainable jobs’ project in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation’s ‘Young Africa Work strategy’, which seeks to enable three million young people, particularly women to access dignified and fulfilling work opportunities by 2030.

The three-year project seeks to create 40,000 direct and indirect work opportunities for the youth, especially young women, through TVET.

Under the project, DTI will work with the Ghana Standards Authority to develop standards that will guide the development and testing of prototype products that will serve the ever-growing industrial needs of Ghana and the sub-region.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of DTI, Constance Elizabeth Swaniker stated that the collaboration with the Ghana Standards Authority will help develop acceptable standards in the development and testing of prototype products for Ghana’s industries whiles maintaining international standards.

“We don’t only teach at DTI but we are creating high-quality products that will serve the needs of industries and Ghanaians. At DTI, we have been championing the adoption of Precision Quality in TVET institutions and among master craft persons across the country as well as industries. The signing of the MoU affirms the regulator’s trust in what we are doing and how it will bridge the product development gap for consumers. We will continue to work with the authority, in the area of policy development and advocacy which will lead to a mindset shift among Ghanaians when quality is concerned.”

Prof. Alex Dodoo, Director-General of GSA, who is also the President-elect of the African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO), noted: “as the government agency mandated to promote standardisation in the country, we are uniquely positioned to work together with DTI and other entrepreneurship training institutions to streamline their efforts and ensure that international standards and best practices are adhered to in a sustainable manner.”

“Our ultimate aim is to facilitate the creation of dignified, well-paying, and fulfilling job opportunities in the country. If the products from these companies are standardized and of high quality, they will be capable of competing effectively in the export market”.

Prof. Dodoo called on all Ghanaians to have a precision-quality mindset that settles for nothing but the highest quality of goods and services. These, he said, will make Ghana visible for quality and improve the country’s global competitiveness.

The Design and Technology Institute (DTI) is a state-of-the-art Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) for young people.

It was officially launched in September 2019 to provide the platform for students from various Universities, Polytechnics, Technical and Vocational Institutions to gain industry experience by working closely with artisans on a factory floor, supported by experienced instructors.

The Mastercard Foundation works with visionary organizations to enable young people in Africa and in Indigenous communities in Canada to access dignified and fulfilling work.

It is one of the largest, private foundations in the world with a mission to advance learning and promote financial inclusion to create an inclusive and equitable world. The Foundation was created by Mastercard in 2006 as an independent organization with its own Board of Directors and management.