By Juliet ETEFE ([email protected])
The Ministry of Labour, Jobs and Employment (MLJE), in partnership with the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS), is set to conduct the country’s first Qualifications and Skills Mismatches Survey (QSMS) in June 2025.
The survey, aimed at persons in employment across both formal and informal sectors, will generate essential data to address concerns of disconnect between graduate’s skills and industry or job requirements to inform policy.
It also seeks to complement existing labour statistics, such as unemployment and underemployment figures, by highlighting critical mismatches that affect labour productivity and placement.
At a stakeholder engagement held on Thursday, May 8, 2025, at the Ministry’s conference room, Labour Minister Dr. Rashid Pelpuo underscored the importance of the survey in an evolving economy where low-skilled jobs are rapidly declining.
“In the past, economies like Ghana had the capacity to absorb low-skilled labour, especially in the agricultural sector. However, advancements in knowledge and technology are changing the labour landscape, displacing such jobs and necessitating new skills,” Dr. Pelpuo stated in a speech read on his behalf.
He explained that the survey would provide comprehensive insights into the scale of the mismatch challenge, allowing for better alignment of skills training with the country’s employment needs.
“For every student and trainee, the ultimate goal is to secure employment aligned with their qualifications. This survey will ensure that our investment in education translates into meaningful employment opportunities where talents are fully utilised,” he added.
Pilot phase
A pilot phase of the survey was successfully conducted in the Greater Accra, Northern, and Upper West regions. According to the Minister, the pilot helped to refine the survey instruments, identify logistical bottlenecks, and estimate resources required for the nationwide rollout.
Dr. Pelpuo called on stakeholders to actively participate in the exercise to ensure its success saying: “Your input reflects the diversity of our workforce and is crucial for the credibility and depth of this research. Without your cooperation and expertise, the survey cannot reach its full potential.”
Adding his voice, Shadrack Mensah, Director of Research, Statistics, and Information Management (RSIM) at the Ministry, highlighted the longstanding debate over the misalignment between what graduates offer and what industries require adding that the survey will provide the empirical evidence for redress.
“For years, there’s been this ongoing discussion that the skills needed by industries are not what our graduates possess. But there’s never been any data to substantiate these claims,” Mr. Mensah said.
He further revealed that the nationwide survey is expected to span four months across all 16 regions, noting that the findings will guide policy reforms and curriculum adjustments.
“We will have about a month for the data collection phase, followed by data cleaning and analysis. The final report should be ready within four months. We aim to collaborate with the Ghana Education Service and other relevant stakeholders to review and develop curricula that reflect the actual needs of our industries,” he said.
Cooperation
Madam Janet Acolatse, representing the Ghana Statistical Service, reiterated the significance of the partnership in fulfilling the agency’s mandate to produce data for policy formulation and evidence-based decision-making.
“For us at GSS, this survey is in line with our core mission. We are particularly counting on the media to help publicize it. As our field teams prepare to go out, public awareness will be critical in ensuring the institutions they visit respond positively,” she said.
She stressed the importance of cooperation from the public, saying, “Without adequate responses from institutions and individuals, we would not be able to gather the accurate data needed to inform policies on the labour market.”
