EU-Ghana Pact for Skills: Support tertiary education for sustainable employability
Ghana belongs to the group of low-middle-income countries and was one of the fastest-growing economies in Africa between 2017 – 2019, where poverty rates have decreased by half. However, the economic growth has not been fully inclusive and has led to increased inequality.
The Ghanaian unemployment rate has not decreased over the last five years and 32.8% of the population between 15-24 years remains unemployed; one of the keys to solve this significant issue, is to strengthen the education sector. According to the project’s intervention logic, social stability in Ghana will be preserved if the government, the private sector, and other development partners (including the EU) invest in skills development for the youth, who make up the majority of Ghana’s population and are the most affected by unemployment and underemployment.
The action EU-Ghana Pact for Skills: Support tertiary education for sustainable employability, seeks to increase youth employment through reducing the persistent mismatch between the skills offered by training providers and the requirements of the private sector, but also to boost the creation of new careers in digital sectors, and green entrepreneurship.
This will be accomplished by enhancing coordination mechanisms between tertiary education institutions and the private sector, increasing policy dialogue, expanding training programs in collaboration with local universities, and improving acceleration and incubation services.
The initiative aims to bridge the gap between education and employment facilitating tertiary education students in the transition into the job market, with a particular focus on green and digital sectors. This is particularly vital in regions with high migration flows, where the project concentrates its efforts. At its core, the project seeks to boost decent employment opportunities for all, while prioritizing innovation and sustainability in the digital and green industries, essential for Ghana’s development.
By addressing persistent skill gaps and removing barriers to employability, the project aspires to unlock Ghana’s full potential in creating dignified and sustainable jobs.
A key component of the initiative is the development of enhanced acceleration and incubation services, spearheaded by E4Impact through its Ghanaian NGO branch. Leveraging their extensive expertise across Ghana and other leading African nations, E4Impact will provide tailored support toempower aspiring entrepreneurs and nurture innovative business ideas.
Central to this effort will be partnerships with six local universities, one of which will host a flagship Entrepreneurship Centre. This center will serve as a hub of excellence, offering mentorship, resources, and best practices to the other five universities. Beyond its role as a model institution, the Entrepreneurship Centre will ensure continuous guidance and support for the implementation of entrepreneurship programs, fostering a culture of innovation and sustainable growth across Ghana’s academic and business landscapes.