AI, digital literacy critical to technical and vocational education – NDPC

The National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) has urged technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) and digital literacy into their programmes to prepare young people for the changing world of work.

Dr Audrey Amoah, Director-General, NDPC, said those skills were essential to enabling young people to take advantage of opportunities in the digital economy.

“Artificial intelligence, automation and digital technologies are already changing tasks, occupations and the skills employers seek,” she said at the Sixth Annual Precision Quality Convening in Accra.

The programme was organised by the Design and Technology Institute (DTI), the Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment, and the Mastercard Foundation on the theme: “Human Capital at Work”.

It examined Ghana’s emerging human capital development strategy, drawing on evidence, employer experiences, practitioner insights and the changing realities of the world of work.

The discussions sought to shift the national conversation from viewing human capital as an educational input to recognising it as a productive asset.

Participants examined successful interventions, gaps and opportunities for scaling up initiatives nationally, as well as the policy and institutional changes needed to strengthen human capital development.

Dr Amoah said Ghana needed a system that enabled young people not only to acquire education and skills but also to apply them, continue learning and contribute to a more productive and inclusive economy.

“Even though enrolment and completion matter, they do not tell us whether a graduate secures work, earns a decent income, builds a viable enterprise or contributes to higher productivity,” she said.

She said Ghana did not lack policies, institutions or ideas, but needed to connect them to support human development and productivity.

“The challenge is to connect them around the development and productive contribution of people,” she said.

Dr Amoah said an effective human capital ecosystem would require sustained support for children’s development, relevant learning, training aligned with actual and emerging labour market needs, enterprise growth and shared institutional responsibility for measurable results.

Mr George Opare Addo, Minister of Youth Development and Empowerment, reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to working with the private sector to equip young people with the skills needed to become productive.

He commended the DTI for its investment in youth development and urged students to take their education and training seriously.

Ms Constance Swaniker, Founder and President of the DTI, stressed the need to strengthen the pillars of the country’s draft Human Capital Development Strategy.

She said that was essential to refining the strategy before its submission to Cabinet as the country worked to address challenges within its human capital ecosystem.