The Design and Technology Institute (DTI) is calling for increased investment in human capital development and stronger government support for local industries to improve Ghana’s productivity and accelerate industrialisation.
The Institute says Ghana must align its skills development agenda with the changing world of work while creating an enabling environment for local businesses to expand and generate employment.
The call was made at the 6th Annual Precision Quality Convening, which brought together government officials, industry stakeholders and young people to assess Ghana’s human capital development strategy and its relevance to emerging industry demands.
Held under the theme, “Human Capital at Work,” the convening focused on practical measures to bridge skills gaps, improve workforce productivity and prepare young people for the evolving labour market.
Founder and President of DTI, Constance Swaniker, questioned whether Ghana was investing enough in its young population to drive the country’s next phase of industrialisation.
She cited Ghana’s Human Capital Index score of 45, arguing that the country must do more to translate its youthful population into productive human resources.
“If you look at developed countries like Singapore, their productivity index stands at 0.80. So you can imagine how far behind we are,” she said.
Ms Swaniker stressed that Africa’s greatest potential lies in its people, but the right investments must be made to harness that potential for economic transformation.
Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment, George Opare Addo, also emphasised the need to align human capital development with the changing world of work, particularly as artificial intelligence, automation and digitalisation reshape occupations.
He called for increased investment in digital literacy, technical and vocational education, critical thinking and lifelong learning.
“We must also change our perceptions of our skills. Ghana needs engineers, technicians, artisans, master craftspersons, entrepreneurs and skilled tradespeople, just as it needs professionals in traditional white-collar occupations,” he said.
Mr Opare Addo further called for greater recognition of technical skills and support for enterprises in the informal economy to become more productive, competitive and sustainable.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Energy Sector at the Association of Ghana Industries, Kwame Jantuah, wants government to introduce higher import duties on goods that can be produced locally to encourage domestic manufacturing.
He believes such a policy, although initially challenging, could create a market for locally manufactured products and stimulate industrial growth.
“We need to target those areas that we can build things in this country, and those things that we import to take over those things we can do in this country. We put heavy duties on them,” he said.
Mr Jantuah also called for stronger private-sector leadership in industrial development, backed by a national development plan to provide clear direction for the country’s economic transformation.
Principal Architect at Archxenus, Agnes Ofosu-Appiah, also urged government to introduce business support measures, tax incentives and simpler business registration processes to encourage enterprise growth.
She said reducing the bureaucratic challenges associated with setting up and running businesses would support expansion and create more employment opportunities.
“Business support, tax incentives, ensuring that it’s simpler. You have a shorter route in registering and running a business because when businesses run, then we have a lot more employment,” she said.
The discussions highlighted the need for a coordinated approach between government, industry and training institutions to develop a skilled workforce, strengthen local businesses and position Ghana for sustainable industrial growth.