The Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to equipping young people with practical and industry-relevant skills, describing skills development as a critical pillar of Ghana’s economic transformation and sustainable growth.
Speaking on behalf of the Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment at the 10th Cohort Graduation Ceremony of Forklift and Mobile Crane Operators, the Deputy Director-General for Administration, Reine Adzo Agbo, said countries that achieve rapid economic progress do so by investing in the skills and talents of their youth.
Addressing graduates, industry stakeholders and development partners, she noted that Ghana’s development ambitions cannot be realised through academic qualifications alone but require a workforce equipped with technical and vocational competencies that meet industry demands.
“Practical and technical skills are essential for reducing unemployment, increasing productivity, fostering innovation and creating sustainable livelihoods,” she said, adding that sectors such as construction, mining, maritime services, logistics, manufacturing, transportation and infrastructure development depend heavily on skilled operators and technicians.
She commended the graduating forklift and mobile crane operators for acquiring skills that position them to contribute significantly to Ghana’s industrialisation agenda and national development.
The Ministry also highlighted several government interventions aimed at empowering young people. These include the Adwumawura Programme, which supports youth entrepreneurship through training, mentorship, business incubation and market access, as well as the National Apprenticeship Programme, which provides practical training and pathways to employment and self-employment for thousands of young Ghanaians.
The ceremony, jointly organised by the National Association of Heavy-Duty Equipment Operators Ghana (NAHDEOG) and the Regional Maritime University (RMU), celebrated the graduation of 74 trainees, comprising 32 forklift operators, 35 mobile crane operators and seven excavator operators.
Vice-Chancellor of the Regional Maritime University, Professor Jethro W. Brooks, described the graduates’ achievement as a significant investment in their future and emphasised that Ghana’s development depends on a skilled workforce capable of making immediate contributions in critical sectors.
Speaking on the theme, “Skilled Youth for Accelerated Development,” Prof. Brooks noted that Africa’s expanding infrastructure needs require competent equipment operators to support construction, logistics, ports, oil and gas, mining and industrial operations.
“Economic growth is driven by skills and productivity,” he said, urging the graduates to view their certificates as the beginning rather than the end of their professional journey.
He encouraged them to pursue continuous learning, adapt to evolving technologies and uphold high standards of safety, integrity and professionalism in their careers.
The President of the National Association of Heavy-Duty Equipment Operators Ghana, Dominic Kofi Eyiah, also underscored the importance of technical and vocational training in national development.
He commended the Government of Ghana for implementing the National Apprenticeship Programme and appealed for heavy-duty equipment operation training to be incorporated into future phases of the initiative.
According to him, Ghana’s construction, mining, agriculture, logistics and industrial sectors continue to experience a shortage of professionally trained operators despite the increasing demand for specialised equipment operators.
He said integrating heavy-duty equipment training into national skills programmes would help create jobs, address critical skills gaps, improve workplace safety and accelerate industrial growth.
Mr. Eyiah further pledged the Association’s readiness to collaborate with government agencies, training institutions and industry partners on curriculum development, certification, practical training and mentorship programmes.
Earlier, the Acting Head of the Marine Engineering Department at RMU, Dr. Vindex Domeh, said the training programme was designed to provide participants with practical and industry-relevant competencies that would enhance their employability and professional performance.
He cited the success of a former graduate who demonstrated exceptional competence and professionalism during an employment assessment after completing the programme, describing it as evidence of the quality and effectiveness of the training.
Dr. Domeh expressed appreciation to the instructors of NAHDEOG for their dedication and recognised Mr. Prince Boyd of RMU’s Transport Unit for facilitating the partnership between the Association and the University.
The graduation ceremony concluded with a call for stronger collaboration among government, academia and industry to expand skills development opportunities for Ghanaian youth and build a highly skilled workforce capable of driving national development and economic competitiveness.
Source: PR Unit, NAHDEOG
