GIZ Ghana has dispelled the notion that technical and vocational education and training (TVET) courses are only for those deemed unintelligent or lacking creativity.
Awudu Dramani Musah, GIZ Ghana’s Advisor on TVET, noted that intelligence and creativity are essential qualities for success in technical and vocational fields.
“If you’re not intelligent or creative you cannot call yourself a technical or vocational person,” he said.
In an interview on the Orange Sunrise ahead of the Ghana Career and Migration Fair 2024, he stated the pivotal role of technical and vocational professionals in driving innovation across various industries.
He also mentioned that technical expertise is fundamental in creating opportunities for economic growth and entrepreneurship.
“All things that we see around are through technical, in fact if you’re not brilliant you can’t do that,” Mr. Musah told host Alfa Ali.
Drawing attention to the value of technical expertise, Mr. Musah questioned the perception that corporate executives are superior to skilled technicians and artisans.
He emphasized the indispensable contributions of technical professionals to society.
“I’m a technical person, I get worried when I hear of some of these things, can you say the CEO of a company is better than the person who manufactured company?” he quizzed.
On his part, Frank Agyei Boakye, Senior Labour Officer at the Labour Department, said there is a high regard for technical and vocational professionals in countries like Germany, as compared to Ghana.
He lamented the lack of recognition and support for TVET courses in Ghana compared to nations that prioritize technical education.
“Germany does not joke with its technical and Vocational persons, unlike Ghana,” he said.
Mr. Boakye attributed the decline in interest in TVET courses in Ghana to the diminishing emphasis on technical education at the basic school level.
He stated the need to revitalize TVET education to empower individuals with practical skills and drive economic development.
