The Education Minister, Haruna Iddrisu has called for aggressive investment in vocational skills to protect the country from rising youth unemployment.
He said the current level of joblessness among young people poses a serious threat to national stability and requires immediate, sustained intervention through targeted training programmes.
“If Ghana is to succeed in addressing the growing youth unemployment, which remains a ticking time bomb, it must invest more in skills training and skills development.”
Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, MP for Tamale South, Minister for Education
The Minister also urged the protection of state lands earmarked for the Ghana Institute of Technology and other educational developments within the Ayawaso West Municipality.
He noted that 12 acres of prime land remain crucial for the future of the Ghana Technology University and must be safeguarded from unauthorised public or private development.
Iddrisu commended the long-standing efforts of the Opportunities Industrialization Centre Ghana in protecting the designated site over several decades.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting institutions aligned with the national agenda of technical and vocational excellence.
The Government, he said, seeks to strengthen collaboration between the Opportunities Industrialization Centre and the Commission for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (CTVET).
This partnership is intended to streamline practical education delivery and ensure curricula respond to the evolving needs of the industrial economy.
He stressed that Ghana’s development depends on equipping young people with hands-on skills rather than relying solely on theoretical education. According to him, industrialisation requires a workforce with technical competencies developed through specialised training centres.
The Education Minister expressed confidence in the leadership of the training institutions to manage resources effectively while preparing the next generation of professionals.
He added that the state will continue to provide the necessary legal and financial framework to achieve these educational goals.
Iddrisu further indicated that the Ministry plans to formalise all land agreements to prevent future disputes or the loss of public assets to private developers. He described the protection of educational corridors as a non-negotiable priority of the current administration.
He also highlighted the strategic importance of the Ayawaso West area as a hub for educational innovation and technological advancement, insisting that preserving the land is essential for the growth of the proposed Ghana Institute of Technology.
Education Ministry Seeks Land For Community Health Clinic
Honourable Haruna Iddrisu has also appealed to the board of the Opportunities Industrialization Centre to release part of its land for the construction of a community clinic. He said the Ayawaso West Municipality needs a dedicated health facility to serve the growing medical needs of residents and students in the area.
The proposal involves a careful redesign of existing site plans to ensure the clinic does not interfere with the centre’s core educational activities. He added that technical experts would be involved to preserve the integrity of the training environment while accommodating the health facility.
Iddrisu preferred a collaborative arrangement with the board rather than compulsory land acquisition. He acknowledged the institution’s historical rights and said the aim is to reach a mutually beneficial agreement that serves both the community and the centre.
He confirmed that a formal letter would be sent to the office of Mrs Evans-Kwisie outlining the spatial requirements for the proposed clinic. He noted that the government values the centre’s cooperation in delivering services that improve the quality of life in the district.
He also assured the board that the Government would support the centre’s expansion efforts in return for the concession, creating a shared space where education and healthcare can co-exist effectively.
“I will write formally to you requesting you to preserve and dedicate this land for public purpose and for the public good, and to protect it”
Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, MP for Tamale South, Minister for Education
The Minister concluded by reiterating that state lands must be protected from misuse or private exploitation. He stressed that both the ministry and training institutions share a common goal of national development through improved infrastructure and human capital development.
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