- injects EUR33.5M into TVET skills and GTEC initiatives
The Erasmus+ Programme and the European Union (EU) member-states scholarship initiatives have over 1,000 fully-funded opportunities for Ghanaian students in 2024/2025 academic year for higher learning abroad.
Speaking at the 2024 ‘Study in Europe’ networking event, EU Ambassador to Ghana, Irchad Razaaly, mentioned that the EU has intensified its skills development support programmes for Ghana due to the increasing relevance of fourth industrial revolution (4IR) skills in the 21st century job market.
He emphasised that the EU wants to be a partner for the future of Ghana, strengthening education and job creation as the best way to realise this ambition.
“This year, approximately 1000 students would fly over to the best universities in Europe with the help of scholarships offered by the EU and its member-states. In addition, European universities provide many scholarships through bilateral agreements with Ghanaian universities.
“The Erasmus+ programme is a central pillar of our education support, offering Ghanaian youths a unique opportunity to gain top-level academic experience. Beyond schooling, Erasmus allows for cultural exchange between Europe and students from around the world,” he said.
Additionally, he highlighted that the EU has made available about EUR33.5million for an initiative dubbed the ‘EU-Ghana Pact for Skills Programme’, aimed at the expansion and reinforcement of Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) in Ghana.
The ‘Pact for Skills Programme’ is a comprehensive timely intervention that focuses on the several critical challenges within the education system. It seeks to address the urgent need to strengthen connections between the government, universities and the private sector.
The programme has been extended to include support for tertiary education in Ghana under the auspices of the Ghana Technical Education Commission (GTEC). At the tertiary level, the funding support will foster the establishment of incubation centres to help in idea development.
“Education support and jobs creation will remain a priority for the European Union for years to come. The future of EU-Ghana relations lies in nurturing our young talents and providing them with the necessary tools and opportunities to develop,” Razaaly reiterated.
Deputy Director-General for GTEC, Prof. Yayra Dzakadzie, stressed that the partnership with the EU was pivotal in transforming Ghana’s educational landscape and empowering the youth through enhanced educational mobility.
He mentioned that the EU’s decision to invest in Ghana’s tertiary education through the ‘EU-Ghana Pact for Skills’ programme is a testament to its unwavering commitment to promoting sustainable employability and enhancing the skills of local students.
“Addressing the skills mismatch between our students’ preparation and the requirements of the digital job market is paramount. Additionally, there is a pressing need to bolster the employment services available at our universities to ensure our graduates are well-prepared for the workforce,” he said.
He added that fostering entrepreneurship and innovation is a key priority; therefore, the establishment of incubation centres will provide aspiring entrepreneurs with the support they need, guiding them from the initial idea phase to the successful launch of their enterprises.
“This will not only create job opportunities but also drive economic growth and development in Ghana,” he emphasised.
