Ghana’s education system is at a crossroads as the country debates how to balance universities and technical training.
While polytechnics have been upgraded into technical universities, concerns are growing that this shift could widen the gap between what graduates learn and what industries actually need.
For Dr. Michael Insaidoo, lecturer at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), the issue is not about choosing one over the other but finding the right mix.
“If Ghana focuses too heavily on universities at the expense of vocational training, we risk a skills mismatch. The balance between theory and hands-on skills is what drives industrial success,” Dr. Insaidoo said.
Learning from International Models
Countries that have managed to industrialise quickly integrated practical training into academic systems. Germany’s dual education system, which combines classroom learning with apprenticeships, guarantees that students graduate with employable skills.
“Germany ensures that companies and schools work hand in hand. A student doesn’t just read about engineering—he or she also works on the factory floor,” Dr. Insaidoo explained.
In Finland, vocational and academic pathways are equally valued, giving students flexibility to move between the two. Singapore’s polytechnics, meanwhile, remain tightly linked to industry, with curricula designed to meet real labour market demands.
“These countries show that when you bridge theory and practice, you strengthen both employability and innovation. Ghana must follow this path,” he advised.
Ghana’s Current Challenge
In Ghana, graduate unemployment remains high even as industries struggle to recruit skilled artisans.
Many students leave universities with degrees in oversupplied fields, while trades like welding, carpentry, and mechanics face shortages.
“Industrialisation cannot happen without technicians and artisans. Yet our system is geared more toward producing degree holders than practical workers,” Dr. Insaidoo noted.
A Call for Balance
According to him, Ghana must strengthen technical universities for applied research while preserving Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions to train artisans.
“We need engineers, but we also need the welders and machinists who keep industries running. Both are essential,” he added.
