The Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to equipping young people with practical and industry-relevant skills, describing skills development as a key pillar for Ghana’s economic transformation and sustainable growth.
Speaking on behalf of the Minister at the 10th Cohort Graduation Ceremony for Forklift and Mobile Crane Operators, Deputy Director-General for Administration, Reine Adzo Agbo, said countries that record rapid economic progress do so by investing in the abilities and talents of their youth.
She noted that Ghana’s development ambitions cannot be achieved through academic qualifications alone, stressing that the nation requires a workforce with technical and vocational competencies aligned with industry needs.
“Practical and technical skills are essential for reducing unemployment, increasing productivity, fostering innovation and creating sustainable livelihoods,” she said, adding that key sectors such as construction, mining, maritime services, logistics, manufacturing, transportation and infrastructure development depend heavily on skilled operators and technicians.
The Deputy Director-General commended the graduating forklift and mobile crane operators for acquiring skills that will support Ghana’s industrialisation agenda and broader national development.
Government Programs Supporting Young People
The Ministry highlighted initiatives including the Adwumawura Programme, which supports youth entrepreneurship through training, mentorship, incubation and market access, and the National Apprenticeship Programme, which provides practical training and pathways to employment and self-employment for thousands of young Ghanaians.
Graduation of 74 Trainees
The ceremony, jointly organised by the National Association of Heavy-Duty Equipment Operators Ghana (NAHDEOG) and the Regional Maritime University (RMU), celebrated 74 trainees: 32 forklift operators, 35 mobile crane operators, and seven excavator operators.
Emphasis on a Skilled Workforce
The Vice-Chancellor of RMU, Professor Jethro W. Brooks, described the graduates’ achievement as a major investment in their future and said Ghana’s development depends on a skilled workforce able to make immediate contributions to critical sectors.
Under the theme “Skilled Youth for Accelerated Development,” Prof. Brooks said Africa’s growing infrastructure needs require competent equipment operators for construction, logistics, ports, oil and gas, mining and industrial operations. He urged graduates to treat their certificates as the start of their professional journey, encouraging continuous learning, adaptation to new technologies, and strict adherence to safety and professionalism.
Call to Expand Technical Training
The President of NAHDEOG, Dominic Kofi Eyiah, underscored the importance of technical and vocational training and commended government efforts under the National Apprenticeship Programme. He appealed for heavy-duty equipment operation training to be included in future phases of the initiative, noting a continued shortage of professionally trained operators despite increasing demand.
Mr. Eyiah said integrating heavy-duty equipment training into national skills programs would create jobs, address skills gaps, improve workplace safety, and accelerate industrial growth. He also pledged the Association’s readiness to collaborate with government agencies, training institutions and industry partners on curriculum development, certification, practical training and mentorship.
Designed for Employability
Earlier, Acting Head of the Marine Engineering Department at RMU, Dr. Vindex Domeh, said the training was structured to provide practical, industry-relevant competencies that enhance participants’ employability and professional performance. He cited the success of a former graduate who impressed during an employment assessment as proof of the programme’s quality.
The ceremony concluded with a call for stronger collaboration between government, academia and industry to expand skills development opportunities and build a highly skilled workforce capable of driving Ghana’s development and economic competitiveness.
