The Design and Technology Institute (DTI), in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, has graduated and certified 1,593 Master Craft Persons (MCPs) and Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) owners under its Precision Quality™ (PQ) programme.

The programme is aimed at advancing efforts to improve productivity, formalisation and dignified work opportunities within Ghana’s informal economy also marked the launch of the PQ MCPs and SMEs Alumni Association, creating a platform for continued networking, mentorship, peer learning and engagement beyond training.

The ceremony, held in Accra under the theme: ‘Formalising the Informal Sector: Honouring Excellence in Skills, Enterprise and Transformation,’ brought together government, industry, development partners, community leaders, graduates and their families.

The graduands comprised 1,307 women (82 per cent) and 286 men (18 per cent), including 68 Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).

Addressing the gathering, Ms Constance Elizabeth Swaniker, Founder and President of DTI, said the graduation represented more than the presentation of certificates.

“Today is not simply about recognising skilled artisans and entrepreneurs. It is about helping businesses become visible, trusted and ready for larger opportunities. Formalisation enables enterprises to access finance, compete for contracts, create jobs and contribute more significantly to national development,” she explained

Ms Swaniker, drawing from her experience as a former carpentry apprentice, highlighted the importance of combining technical competence with strong enterprise systems.

“I started as an apprentice in a carpentry workshop and later registered my business as a one-woman enterprise. That decision opened opportunities that would otherwise have remained out of reach. Skill alone is powerful, but skill backed by structure, documentation and standards creates sustainable growth,” she stated.

As part of the programme, Ms Swaniker noted that 241 outstanding MCPs and SMEs were competitively selected to receive Business Scale-up and Apprenticeship Support Kits valued at $250 each, representing a total investment of $60,250.

According to her, selection was based on attendance, potential to scale, enterprising capability, willingness to engage apprentices, ease of post-training tracking and commitment to inclusive hiring. Of the beneficiaries, 41 are Persons with Disabilities, reinforcing the programme’s focus on inclusive economic participation.

“The beneficiaries operate across sectors including fashion and garment production, hairdressing and beauty, catering, electricals and electronics, welding and fabrication, printing and ICT. The kits are designed to strengthen businesses while expanding their capacity to engage apprentices, creating pathways for skills transfer, youth employment and livelihood opportunities,” she underlined.

Furthermore, Ms Swamiker said through this integrated model, DTI and the Mastercard Foundation were supporting a stronger and more inclusive ecosystem where Ghana’s informal enterprises can formalise, grow, improve productivity, create jobs and develop the next generation of skilled workers.

She elaborated that the Accra graduation was the first of three ceremonies, with 528 participants expected to graduate in Ho on August 19 and 2,639 in Kumasi on August 26, bringing the total number of MCPs and SMEs graduating across the three cities to 4,760 in 2026.

Through the Precision Quality™ programme, participants received training in entrepreneurship, business management, workplace safety, customer relations, digital literacy and financial management. Master craft persons with apprentices attached to their enterprises are also able to transfer improved quality standards and business practices to the next generation of skilled workers.

All 1,593 graduates received Precision Quality™ Certification alongside support for business registration with the Office of the Registrar of Companies (ORC), bank account opening, and linkages with relevant trade associations and industry networks.