The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has issued a strong call to Ghana’s technical universities to reorient their academic programmes toward employable, hands-on skills and practical entrepreneurship, warning that theory-heavy education alone can no longer meet the demands of the modern labour market.
According to the Minister, as government injects additional resources into what he described as a reset of Ghana’s education system, higher education institutions—particularly technical universities—must deliberately align teaching and learning with industry needs in order to drive economic transformation and improve living standards.
Mr Iddrisu made the call in a speech delivered on his behalf at the 22nd Congregation of the Koforidua Technical University (KTU) in Koforidua over the weekend. The address was read by the Deputy Director-General of the Ghana Education Service, Smile Dzisi.
The Minister explained that the government’s reset agenda is aimed at making education not only accessible and inclusive, but also relevant, practical, and impactful. Central to this agenda, he said, is the deliberate development of employable skills, the nurturing of innovative enterprises, and the strengthening of Ghana’s human capital to compete both locally and globally.
“It is expected that our institutions of higher learning will work hand in hand with industry to lead the conversation on transformational curricula,” the Minister stated. “These are the curricula required to leapfrog our country into a stronger economy and a higher standard of living.”
He challenged Koforidua Technical University—and by extension all technical universities across the country—to place employable skills and hands-on practical entrepreneurship at the core of academic delivery, stressing that graduates must leave school not only with certificates, but with competencies that translate directly into jobs, businesses, and solutions.
The congregation ceremony, held under the theme “Technical Education for Innovation, Employability and Global Competitiveness,” saw 3,011 students graduate from various academic programmes, marking a significant milestone for the institution.
Addressing the graduating class, the Vice-Chancellor of Koforidua Technical University, John Owusu, urged the students to move beyond academic achievement and focus on applying their training to real-world challenges.
“The problems of the world are waiting for your solutions,” Professor Owusu told the graduands. “Your wealth, success, reputation, and recognition are hidden in the challenges around you. It is only by solving those problems that you unlock your true potential.”
The ceremony underscored a growing national conversation about the future of education in Ghana—one that places innovation, practicality, and employability at the centre of tertiary training, especially as the country seeks to equip its youth with the skills needed to thrive in an increasingly competitive global economy.
