The Vice Chancellor of Takoradi Technical University (TTU), Rev. Prof. John Frank Eshun, has emphasized the pivotal role of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in advancing Ghana’s industrialization and national development.
Speaking at the 37th Graduation Ceremony of the Opportunity Industrialization Technical Institute (OITI), Prof. Eshun—whose remarks were delivered on his behalf by TTU’s Director of Quality Assurance and Academic Planning, Prof. Kweku Safo-Ankama—stressed that TVET must remain central to the nation’s development agenda if meaningful progress is to be achieved.
He noted that graduation is more than a celebration of personal achievement; it is also a call to responsibility.
“From today, society no longer regards you as students but as trained professionals—men and women tasked with applying your knowledge for the greater good. Your certificates carry a responsibility: not only to pursue personal growth but to create opportunities, solve problems, and inspire others. In essence, you are now partners in national development,” he charged the graduates.
Delivering his speech on the theme “TVET Education: A Tool for National Development,” Prof. Eshun pointed to the experiences of Germany, Singapore, and South Korea, where sustained investment in TVET has fueled rapid economic transformation.
Citing the Ghana Statistical Service’s 2023 third-quarter report, which placed youth unemployment at 21.7%, he observed that much of the challenge stems from limited access to practical, job-ready skills. TVET, he said, provides the surest path to addressing this deficit.
“For Ghana, the lesson is clear: if we seek industrialization, job creation, and reduced reliance on foreign expertise, TVET must be the bedrock of our development strategy. It is not an alternative route but a strategic pathway to realizing the vision of a 24-hour economy. Such a future demands a skilled workforce, and the extent to which we invest in TVET today will determine Ghana’s tomorrow,” he stated.
Prof. Eshun further called for a national shift in mindset, insisting that technical and vocational training should never be seen as a “last resort” but as a respected and rewarding career path.
“Across the world, TVET graduates are among the most valued professionals because they provide essential services that drive modern society,” he noted.
He appealed to parents to nurture their children’s talents in technical fields, urged policymakers to resource modern workshops and facilities, and called on industries to strengthen partnerships with TVET institutions to ensure training remains aligned with evolving market demands. He also highlighted the importance of dynamic, industry-driven curricula that integrate emerging technologies, apprenticeships, and workplace experiences, ensuring graduates exit with both certificates and competence.
Congratulating the graduating class, Prof. Eshun encouraged them to carry forward the torch of skills, innovation, and service in building Ghana’s future.
The ceremony also drew dignitaries including the Mayor of Sekondi-Takoradi, Lawyer Fredrick F. Faidoo, and Mr. George Maddy, General Manager of Macro Shipping Company.