Ghana and Japan have launched a joint skills development initiative aimed at equipping young people with employable technical skills for the automotive industry while creating pathways for international job opportunities.
The programme, known as the Ghana–Japan Auto Connect under the Green Auto Factory Africa (GAFA) project, is designed to strengthen technical and vocational education and training (TVET) and prepare young people for emerging mobility technologies.
Mr George Opare-Addo, Minister of Youth Development and Empowerment, announced the initiative at its launch in Accra.
The programme is being implemented through a partnership involving the Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment, the Ghana TVET Service and Green Auto Factory AICHI of Japan, with support from industry partners including Toyota.
Under the initiative, selected participants will undergo three months of Japanese language training followed by six months of specialised automotive training. The programme will lead to a Level Three Automobile Mechanic Certification.
Participants who successfully complete the programme may also have access to internship and employment opportunities in Japan through future labour mobility arrangements.
The initiative is expected to contribute to reskilling efforts within Ghana’s automotive sector, which employs an estimated 300,000 people but faces growing demand for new competencies as the global industry transitions towards advanced and electric vehicle technologies.
Mr Opare-Addo said the initiative formed part of government’s broader strategy to strengthen youth skills development and address unemployment.
He noted that technical and vocational education remained a critical pathway for empowering young people and supporting national development.
“As a Ministry, our mandate is clear – to empower young people with the skills, opportunities and resources necessary to become productive citizens and drivers of national development,” he said.
Mr Opare-Addo added that evolving mobility technologies required urgent reskilling within the sector to ensure that workers remained competitive and to prevent potential job losses.
He encouraged young people to consider technical and vocational careers, stressing that practical skills could provide sustainable livelihoods.
Mr Hiroshi Yoshimoto, Japanese Ambassador to Ghana, said the initiative reflected Japan’s continued commitment to supporting Ghana’s human capital development.
He said strengthening human resources remained an important foundation for sustainable development.
Mr Yoshimoto noted that the project would help bridge the gap between classroom learning and industry requirements by providing practical, industry-relevant training.
The GAFA initiative is expected to enhance technical skills development, deepen international partnerships and improve employment prospects for Ghanaian youth in the evolving automotive sector.
