The Design and Technology Institute (DTI), Ghana’s first privately accredited TVET institution, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) to collaborate in developing standards and practice guidelines to improve Small and Medium Scale Enterprises, especially master craftpersons and those operating in the technical and vocational sectors of the economy.
Craftpersons, individuals working in the informal sector, females and the youth stand to benefit more from the MoU signing, as it will lead to the development of standards and guidelines for precision quality and embed precision quality in their products and practices.
It will enhance and strengthen the development of high-quality finished products through standardisation, metrology and conformity through the exchange of knowledge and expertise.
The MoU forms part of DTI’s collaborative strategy to work with key stakeholders to reach the objective under the ‘Transforming Youth TVET Livelihood for Sustainable Jobs’ project in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation’s ‘Young Africa Work strategy’, which seeks to enable three million young people, particularly women, to access dignified and fulfilling work opportunities by 2030.
The three-year project seeks to create 40,000 direct and indirect work opportunities for the youth, especially young women, through TVET. Under the project, DTI will work with the GSA to develop standards that will guide the development and testing of prototype products which will serve the ever-growing industrial needs of Ghana and the sub-region.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Founder of DTI, Ms. Constance Elizabeth Swaniker, stated that the collaboration with the Standards Authority will help develop acceptable standards in the development and testing of prototype products for Ghana’s industries while maintaining international standards.
“We don’t only teach at DTI, we are also creating high-quality products that will serve the needs of industries and Ghanaians. At DTI, we have been championing the adoption of Precision Quality in TVET institutions and among master craftpersons across the country as well as industries.
“The MoU signing affirms the regulator’s trust in what we are doing and how it will bridge the product development gap for consumers. We will continue to work with the authority in the area of policy development and advocacy, which will lead to a mind-set shift among Ghanaians where quality is concerned,” she said.
Director-General of the GSA, Prof. Alex Dodoo – who is also the president-elect of the African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO), also remarked that: “As a government agency mandated to promote standardisation in the country, we are uniquely positioned to work together with DTI and other entrepreneurship training institutions to streamline their efforts and ensure that international standards and best practices are adhered to in a sustainable manner”.
He further said companies have a chance to compete for export, provided adherence to standards and quality will be their hallmark.
“Our ultimate aim is to facilitate the creation of dignified, well-paying and fulfilling job opportunities in the country. If the products from these companies are standardised and of high quality, they will be capable of competing effectively in the export market,” he noted.
Prof. Dodoo called on all Ghanaians to have a precision-quality mind-set that settles for nothing but the highest quality of goods and services. This, he said, will make Ghana notable for quality and improve the country’s global competitiveness.
About Design and Technology Institute
The Design and Technology Institute (DTI) is a state-of-the-art Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) for young people. It was officially launched in September 2019 to provide the platform for students from various Universities, Polytechnics, Technical and Vocational Institutions to gain industry experience by working closely with artisans on a factory floor, supported by experienced instructors.
The Institute’s mission is to transform skills-training for young people in Ghana and across West Africa. The Institute offers scholarships to needy but brilliant students in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation under their Young Africa Works strategy in Ghana.
