Accra, Nov 29, GNA- Professor William Baa-Boateng, Head of Department of Economics at the University of Ghana, has called on government to invest in science and technology for a sustained national development.
Prof Baah-Boateng said creating an enabling environment to promote the needed advancement of science and technology would help build a resilient modern economy.
He made the call in Accra at a forum dubbed, « The future of work and skills development in Ghana organised by the Ghana Employer’s Association (GEA).
He emphasised the role of technical education and training, which he said should be reformed toward a more practical hands-on approach.
Countries like Japan, South Korea, and China have developed their economy because of their scientific and technological advancement.
Touching on the impact of globalisation, technological change and artificial intelligence on the world of work, Prof Baah-Boateng said efficiency from technology advancement had created other opportunities for high skilled labour.
According to him, countries neutralised job losses through relevant education and training, urging government to learn from that and maximise the full benefits of technology.
He said job losses was expected especially those at the lower level of education and skills and urged Ghanaians to take advantage of education and make the best out of the opportunity.
Dr Fred Kyei Asamoah, the Executive Director of Council for Technical Education and Training, commenting on the future of technical education, said the system took a new turn and urged the youth to avail themselves of benefits from the opportunities.
TVET is critical for providing skills development for livelihoods, and this is recognised by the Sustainable Development Goal four, which aims to “ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for all”.
The goal will substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship by 2030.
Dr Asamoah said as part of steps toward addressing the need for a functional TVET delivery system, government approved a five-year strategic plan to transform Technical Vocational Education and Training.
He added that with the Skills Gap Analysis and Audit being one of the measures outlined in the TVET transformational agenda.
Mr Alex Frimpong, the Chief Executive Officer of GEA, said the world of work was experiencing rapid changes as a result of digitization and technological advancement, which he noted there was the need to strategise to meet the glowing economy.
He said GEA was of the view that, the changes in the world of work required significant efforts in re-designing skills and labour market to address the foreseeable challenges that were likely to emerge.
The forum was to sensitise employers and key stakeholders on emerging trends in the world work and get businesses prepared for the digital and artificial intelligence revolution.
