The Ghanaian beneficiaries would be supported to travel to the Netherlands for the skills training.   Mr Ron Strikker, the Netherlands Ambassador to Ghana, announced this in Accra at the ‘National TVET Dialogue’ on Wednesday.

He said the Dutch Government also allocated 60 million Euros every year for the enhancement of TVET across the globe. Five thousand professionals from Ghana, he said, had benefitted from the programme including some current and former ministers.

The Dialogue, held on the theme: “Empowering the Girl-Child, the Role of TVET,” was organised by the Ministry of Education and Plan International Ghana. The participants, including policy makers, Civil Society activists, students and donor partners, discussed and provided solutions to issues affecting TVET in the country.

Mr Strikker noted that money was essential to developing every country, however, education and skills also played vital roles in national development.   The Ambassador disclosed that the Dutch Government would initiate the “Orange Corner Programme,” this year in Ghana to enable young entrepreneurs to develop business plans.

Ms Barbara Asher Ayisi, the Deputy Minister of Education, in charge of TVET, said the lack of appropriate technical and entrepreneurial skills and knowledge within the private and public sectors could lead to under-development of any nation.

She said vocational and technical training was the most practical avenue for acquiring readily employable skills and that Africa needed such skilled and competent workforce as artisans and technicians to man the various sectors of the economy.

She mentioned skills in building and construction, power and energy, water distribution and sanitation systems, hospitality, agro processing and public works as the skills needed to promote national development. Mr Jonathan Odartey, the Director of TVET at the Ministry of Education, said the Dialogue was held to brainstorm on how to empower girls and young women in technical and vocational skills.