Founder and President of the Design and Technology Institute (DTI), Constance Swaniker, has called for a major shift in Ghana’s education and skills training system, urging industries to play a direct role in shaping curricula and preparing students for the world of work.
Speaking at the Industry-Academia Roundtable 2026, Swaniker argued that Ghana can only turn its youthful population into a true economic advantage if education, skills training, and labour market demands are properly aligned.
According to her, having a young population alone does not guarantee economic growth.
“A youthful population becomes a demographic dividend only when education systems, skills pathways, labour markets and economic opportunities are aligned,” she stated.
She cited data from the World Bank Human Capital Index, which places Ghana’s score at 0.45, suggesting that a child born in the country today is likely to achieve only 45% of their potential productivity as an adult due to gaps in education, health and skills development.
Swaniker also highlighted growing concerns about youth unemployment and underemployment. She noted that unemployment among people aged 15 to 24 currently stands at 32.1%, while many others remain trapped in low-paying and informal jobs.
According to her, the challenge facing Ghana is no longer simply about getting more young people into school but ensuring that the education they receive prepares them for available jobs and future opportunities.
While acknowledging the success of policies such as Free SHS in expanding access to education, she stressed that educational attainment alone is no longer enough.
“Access is no longer enough. The challenge before us has evolved from one of educational access to one of economic relevance,” she said.
Swaniker revealed findings from a 2025 survey conducted by DTI and the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), which exposed significant weaknesses within Ghana’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector.
The survey found that more than 40% of TVET teachers believe current training programmes are not adequately aligned with industry needs. It also showed that over half of institutions have not updated their curricula in more than five years, while only 17% of assessed laboratories met industry standards.
She described the findings as evidence that the transition from education to employment remains weak and requires urgent attention.
To address the problem, Swaniker advocated for industry-led, demand-driven training where employers help design curricula, students gain hands-on workplace experience, and technical skills are combined with entrepreneurship, leadership and soft skills development.
Drawing from DTI’s experience, she said graduates perform better when training is directly linked to industry needs.
“At DTI, our experience has shown that when industry helps shape curricula and learners spend time in real workplaces, graduates transition more successfully into employment and enterprise,” she noted.
She called for stronger collaboration among government, academia, industry and development partners to build a workforce capable of meeting the demands of both today’s economy and future industries.
