The Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment, Dr. Rashid Pelpuo, has called for a shift towards skills development, entrepreneurship and productivity as key drivers of Ghana’s long-term economic transformation, stressing that national development depends on “productive and self-reliant citizens” capable of creating employment rather than relying on public sector absorption.
He said Ghana’s development agenda must prioritise practical competencies and enterprise creation, noting that “economic self-reliance” remains central to achieving meaningful independence beyond political sovereignty. He made the remarks at the Ghana Poultry Day celebration, which coincided with Ghana’s Republic Day commemorations.
Pelpuo urged a stronger alignment between education and industry, calling for schools to integrate classroom instruction with hands-on experience to better prepare learners for the labour market. He said such an approach would help build entrepreneurial capacity among young people and support the emergence of new businesses, particularly in productive sectors of the economy.
He pointed to vocational and dual-training systems in countries such as Germany as an example of how structured workplace exposure can strengthen skills acquisition, stating that practical learning enables students to gain real-world experience before transitioning into independent enterprise or formal employment.
The Minister further emphasised that Republic Day should serve as a reminder that independence is incomplete without economic strength. He encouraged increased domestic production, stronger support for local industries and greater export orientation, describing productivity as a civic responsibility linked to national progress.
According to him, Ghana’s growing focus on skills development is expected to produce a workforce that is “innovative and skilled,” with the capacity to contribute more effectively to industrialisation and job creation, adding that “these young people will help drive national development,” while emphasising that entrepreneurship and technical training will be central to easing unemployment pressures and expanding economic opportunities.
He also commended institutions and private sector actors supporting practical skills development, describing their role as critical to the country’s industrialisation efforts. The Minister specifically highlighted the Ghana Poultry Day initiative, noting that agribusiness remains a strategic sector for job creation, food security and broader economic growth.
