By Benjamin Nii Nai Anyetei
Ghana stands at a critical juncture, and the key to its economic resilience, Dr. Abdul-Rashid Hassan Pelpuo, Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment, has said, is investing in the country’s human capital.
Addressing the 5th Annual National Precision Quality (PQ) Conference at the Labadi Beach Hotel, Dr. Pelpuo argued that without a skilled and adaptable workforce, the nation risks being left behind in the global economy.
“The greatest asset of Ghana is not its minerals, oil, or natural resources, it is our people,” he stated. He called for a unified national effort to align education, vocational training, and industrial strategies with real market needs.
Dr. Pelpuo cited international examples such as Singapore and South Korea, countries with limited natural resources that leveraged education and skills development to achieve global economic prominence.
The Minister highlighted initiatives such as the Ghana Apprenticeship Programme and the Ghana Skills Development Initiative, urging stakeholders to accelerate their implementation, scale up outreach, and ensure measurable outcomes.
“We are laying the foundations, but now we must act decisively to equip our citizens for the industries of tomorrow,” he said.
At the conference, Ms. Constance Swaniker, Founder of the Design and Technology Institute (DTI), showcased the PQ framework, emphasising its impact on job creation and skills development. PQ has enabled the creation of more than 30,000 jobs, with 70% of learners gaining employment and over 48,000 graduates entering the workforce across 87 sectors.
Now integrated into Ghana’s National Quality Policy and recognised by international bodies such as the African Union and the International Finance Corporation, PQ is being hailed as a model for homegrown innovation in workforce development.
Ms. Swaniker also announced the opening of an AWS-accredited technical workshop in Berekuso this October, which will focus on advanced technical training with 60% female enrolment, challenging gender norms in the traditionally male-dominated TVET sector.
She called on stakeholders to translate the conference’s commitments into action, urging the nation to train, employ, and empower its people as a sustainable path to prosperity.
Dr. Pelpuo concluded by reminding attendees that preparing a skilled workforce is not only a government responsibility but a collective national mission.
“Ghana can choose to lead, or risk being left behind,” he warned.
