Ghana’s technical schools, long regarded as the backbone of practical skills development, are facing a growing management crisis. Principals of the schools say the biggest challenges confronting them are not the learners in their classrooms but the systemic problems they must navigate every day.
These include political pressure, inadequate resources and limited leadership training, concerns that dominated discussions at the 2025 Conference of Principals of Technical Institutions (COPTI) hosted by the Accra Technical and Training Centre (ATTC).
The High Street Journal notes that the concerns raised by the principals are consistent with findings from a recent UNICEF Ghana study conducted in the Ashanti Region, which revealed that many TVET institutions are struggling with similar issues, particularly funding delays, strained infrastructure and training that does not always meet industry needs.
COPTI Raises the Alarm: “We Cannot Deliver Quality Under These Conditions”
COPTI President Dr Ako Dometey said many technical institutions are expected to deliver modern training with outdated or insufficient facilities. Several schools, he noted, lack the basic infrastructure required for hands-on learning. Staff are overstretched, and institutions are operating without clear strategic plans. He also disclosed that more than 90 percent of technical institutions do not have staff insurance, leaving tutors vulnerable despite the nature of their work.
The UNICEF study highlighted a similar situation. It found that increased enrolment under the free TVET policy has placed heavy pressure on infrastructure and consumables, making it difficult for schools to run effective competency-based training. Funding delays were also found to hinder the acquisition of training materials and support for students.
What Dometey’s Lament Reveals
His remarks point to a sector under considerable strain at a time when Ghana is depending heavily on TVET to drive job creation. The gap between national expectations and conditions within technical institutions continues to widen. Without reliable resources, adequate staffing and long-term planning, schools cannot deliver the quality of training required for today’s job market.
The UNICEF study reinforces this, noting that the free TVET policy has reduced internally generated funds while government allocations often delay, leaving institutions unable to acquire the equipment and consumables needed for practical work.
Political Interference and its Impact on School Management
Dometey also identified political interference as a major threat to effective school management. He explained that external pressures disrupt planning, weaken governance and make it difficult for principals to administer their schools effectively.
The UNICEF study’s findings on unpredictable funding and administrative pressures echo this instability, showing how inconsistent support undermines efforts to maintain high academic and practical standards.
Curriculum Gaps: Too Much Theory, Not Enough Practice
Delivering the keynote address, Professor Humphrey Danso, Dean of the School of Graduate Studies at the Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development, urged institutions to rethink their curricula. He said technical training must place more emphasis on practical work, as excessive theory undermines the purpose of TVET.
The UNICEF study also identified curriculum misalignment as a major challenge. It reported that employers often find graduates lacking in practical and soft skills, particularly in agriculture and ICT, where industry needs are shifting rapidly.
Industry Linkages Remain Weak
A representative of the World University Service of Canada, Elvis Kusi, called for stronger collaboration between TVET institutions and industry. He pushed for workplace experience to become a standard component of TVET training and announced plans to bring stakeholders together to improve these linkages.
The UNICEF report similarly found that weak connections between schools and industry contribute to the mismatch between the skills graduates have and what employers expect.
A Call for System-Wide Reform
The conference concluded with a strong call for sustained reforms across the TVET sector. Strengthening infrastructure, protecting staff, reducing political interference and deepening collaboration with industry were identified as urgent priorities. Without these steps, principals warned, technical institutions will struggle to deliver the skilled workforce needed for Ghana’s industrial and economic ambitions.
The UNICEF study reached the same conclusion, recommending stronger partnerships, increased investment and better alignment between training and industry demands to ensure TVET fulfils its role in supporting national development.
