NDPC, DTI Rally Stakeholders to Drive 2026 Human Capital Development Agenda
The National
Development Planning Commission (NDPC) and the Design and Technology Institute
(DTI) on Wednesday convened a high-level stakeholder meeting in Accra to
advance Phase II of the Human Capital Development (HCD) Strategy for 2026 in a
push to align workforce development with industrial transformation
The meeting brought
together senior officials from Ministries, Departments and Agencies, private
sector leaders, regulators, development partners, academia and youth
representatives to deliberate on implementation priorities, partnerships, and
resource needs for Phase II.
Welcoming
participants, Ms. Korkor Amarteifio, Precision Quality Consultant at DTI,
stressed that Ghana had reached a decisive moment.
“We have spent the
last few years defining the issues clearly. Phase II is where we move from
conversation to coordinated action. Ghana cannot achieve industrial
transformation without a workforce trained to global standards of precision,
quality and problem‑solving.”
Moderator Mr. Eugene
Eluerkeh added that the focus for 2026 is alignment, clarity and
accountability:
“Today is about
alignment. We want everyone to leave this room understanding their role, the
expectations and the commitments needed to deliver the 2026 work plan.”
DTI Founder and CEO,
Ms. Constance Swaniker, emphasised that Precision Quality (PQ) had evolved into
a national economic imperative.
“Precision Quality is
the discipline Ghana needs to become competitive. Industry everywhere rewards
quality. Ghana must do the same—because no economy rises on low standards.”
She noted that
persistent complaints about low productivity and inconsistent craftsmanship
were tied to gaps in human capital.
“You cannot talk about
labour market challenges without tackling human capital. Today’s convening
helps us address root causes. Industry now recognises the need to collaborate
more closely with the private sector and policy-makers. There is finally light
at the end of the tunnel.”
In one of the key
technical interventions, the Director-General of CTVET, Mr. Zakaria Suleman,
outlined ongoing reforms to strengthen industry relevance within Ghana’s
training ecosystem.
He highlighted efforts
to embed workplace experience learning, where students and instructors spend
structured time in industry.
“This gives trainees
practical exposure alongside theory. By the time they complete their
programmes, industry finds them ready for recruitment.”
However, he noted
challenges with equipment gaps in institutions and capacity constraints within
industry.
Mr. Suleman also
announced Ghana’s ambition to transition to dual TVET, a globally recognised
apprenticeship model where learners spend up to four days a week in industry
and one day in school.
“To make this work,
industry must be incentivised. We are working with government on tax incentives
and quality improvements so that training institutions and industry can meet
each other halfway.”
Dr. Audrey Smock
Amoah, Director-General of NDPC, said Ghana’s workforce challenges required
bold structural reforms.
“Our national
development ambitions cannot be achieved with a workforce that is
underutilised, under-skilled or mismatched. Precision Quality gives us a
practical framework to close this gap.”
NDPC Chief Analyst, Mr.
Peter Porekuu, clarified that the Human Capital Development
document is a strategy, not a rigid policy:
“A strategy is a
living document that adapts to evolving needs. We conducted extensive reviews
and discovered that while many interventions exist, they are fragmented. Our
mandate is to convene all actors, harmonise efforts and develop a shared work
plan.”
He emphasised that the
strategy ties into Ghana’s long-term national development goals, with clearly
defined long-, medium- and short-term priorities.
Presenting the 2026
outline, Mr. Christopher Conduah, Senior Planning Analyst at DTI, said Phase II
marks the “engine room of implementation.”
The strategy
prioritises: finalising the national Human Capital Development Strategy,
strengthening national skills forecasting and deepening sector engagement.
It also aims at
advancing workplace learning and dual TVET, mobilising investment for skills
development and building governance mechanisms for accountability
He emphasised: “This
is not a DTI or NDPC agenda—it is a national productivity agenda.”
A national skills
forecast presented by Dr. Magnus Duncan confirmed persistent gaps in precision,
digital literacy, technical problem‑solving and maintenance skills.
“If we do not address
these gaps now, Ghana risks missing the opportunities of the AfCFTA and the
global digital economy.”
Youth representatives
underscored the importance of relevance and opportunities.
“We want training that
leads to real jobs, real competencies and real opportunities. PQ makes a
visible difference in our confidence and employability.”
Private‑sector
voices also called for predictability in training pipelines, standards, and co‑investment
models.
Stakeholders
highlighted the need for stronger coordination, predictable financing, clearer
pathways for artisans and MSMEs and incentives for industry participation as
well as improved data for decision-making.
Key outcomes included
of the meeting included shared understanding of the 2026 Phase II agenda,
clarified resource and financing gaps, identification of potential partners and
co‑investors, commitments to technical follow‑up sessions and
strengthened joint ownership under NDPC leadership with DTI support.
Closing the session,
NDPC leadership noted:
“Ghana’s industrial
transformation depends on its people. Our responsibility is to build a
workforce ready for the industries we are growing—not the ones we left behind.”
DTI leadership added:
“We can achieve more
if we move together with urgency and discipline. Phase II is about measurable
impact.”
Stakeholders agreed to
commence technical working sessions, resource mobilisation, and preparations
for the 6th Precision Quality Conference later this year.