Ghana has been chosen to host the inaugural Africa Skills Week, a landmark event aimed at promoting skills development and job creation across the continent.
Scheduled for October 14-18, 2024, the week-long event will take place at the Palm Convention Centre in Accra, bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, educators, and youth from various African nations and beyond.
Organized by the African Union Commission in collaboration with Ghana’s Ministry of Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Africa Skills Week will focus on the theme “Skills and Jobs for the 21st Century: Quality Skills Development for Sustainable Employability in Africa.”
The event aims to equip Africa’s youth with the necessary skills to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving global economy while promoting entrepreneurship and economic resilience.
At a press launch in Accra, Dr. Fred Kyei Asamoah, Director General of the Commission for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (CTVET), underscored the significance of Ghana hosting this prestigious event.
He highlighted the country’s commitment to technical and vocational education and training (TVET) as a key driver for national development, reflecting the confidence placed in Ghana’s TVET system by the African Union and its partners.
Dr. Asamoah stated that Africa Skills Week will serve as a platform for stakeholders to explore how TVET can effectively address youth unemployment while fostering collaboration and sharing best practices from across the continent.
According to him, under President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s leadership, TVET has been prioritized within Ghana’s national policy, with substantial investments made in infrastructure, curriculum reforms, and capacity building for instructors.
The event will feature a variety of activities including policy dialogues, thematic workshops, skills exhibitions, a youth summit, and country-level actions to commemorate the week.
High-profile participants are expected to include ministers of education from African Union member states, representatives from international organizations such as UNESCO and the International Labour Organization, as well as delegates from the Asia-Pacific region.
Africa Skills Week 2024 aims to contribute to the African Union’s broader agenda of building resilient education systems that provide inclusive, lifelong learning opportunities.
By focusing on skills development, the event seeks to unlock the potential of Africa’s youth and drive sustainable economic growth while fostering social inclusion across the continent.
With over 500 participants anticipated, this event promises to be pivotal in shaping the future of skills development in Africa.
Dr. Asamoah concluded by stating that Africa Skills Week 2024 is a unique opportunity for stakeholders to rethink their approach to skills development.
He emphasized that this event aims to shape not only the future of young people but also that of the entire continent.
