Kofi Asare, Executive Director of Africa Education Watch (Eduwatch), has raised concerns about critical digital skill gaps in Ghana’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) system.
Speaking at the Young People’s Forum on the National Apprenticeship Programme—organised by Eduwatch and supported by Oxfam—Mr. Asare revealed that 50% of TVET learners are unaware of or not enrolled in digital marketing-related programmes in their schools.
He said this reflects a significant disconnect between the training provided and the evolving demands of the modern workforce.
“This means that many graduates, despite acquiring valuable artisan skills, lack the digital knowledge to effectively market their services and access better income opportunities in today’s economy,” he stated.
Even among students currently enrolled in digital programmes, Mr. Asare noted that 80% are not receiving adequate training in essential ICT skills.
“The depth of digital instruction is shallow, and many students are not being prepared for the competitive job market,” he added.
Worryingly, Mr. Asare disclosed that only 1% of TVET students are aware of artificial intelligence (AI), while 90 per cent have received no instruction or training in AI or related fields.
He warned that unless AI and robotics are integrated into the TVET curriculum, Ghanaian graduates will remain ill-prepared for the future of work, which is increasingly reliant on advanced digital skills.
Mr. Asare called on stakeholders to prioritise the integration of digital literacy across all TVET programmes, stressing that while traditional technical skills remain vital, their value and marketability depend heavily on digital competence.
He advocated for training models that are climate-resilient, data-driven, and aligned with emerging technologies like AI and robotics, to ensure TVET graduates remain relevant and competitive in the global job market.
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