Ghana's Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) system is critically underfunded. This is according to Kofi Asare, Executive Director of Africa Education Watch. He stated that the current budget for practical training materials for TVET students falls drastically short. The government allocates only GHS33 per student each year for these essential resources. However, the real cost of quality vocational training is much higher.
Mr. Asare highlighted that training costs vary by trade. For example, courses like catering and welding cost around GHS9,000 per student annually. Other programs such as plumbing, electrical installation, fashion, and carpentry require about GHS6,000 per student per year. The average actual expenditure across all trades is GHS6,500 per learner annually. This reveals a staggering 94 percent financing gap. This means the government's funding covers only a tiny fraction of the actual expenses.
This severe funding deficit directly impacts the quality of education. TVET institutions need to conduct many practical sessions to meet training standards. However, with the current budget, they can only manage a few sessions each year. Schools often lack sufficient materials for hands-on learning. Instead of dividing large classes for practical work, they can only afford to demonstrate to the entire group. This limits students' ability to develop practical skills.
The implications of this funding gap extend to Ghana's economic growth. Despite the nation's economy growing by 6 percent in 2025, over 1.3 million young Ghanaians aged 15–35 are Not in Employment, Education, or Training. Mr. Asare explained that this economic growth is not sufficiently skills-driven. The demand for specific skills is not matching the supply of trained workers. This disconnect suggests a structural failure in the skills development system. Sectors driving growth, like services and extraction, have weaker job creation potential compared to manufacturing.
Africa Education Watch argues that TVET institutions are expected to deliver world-class training on very limited budgets. This mismatch between expectations and resources is a key reason for the skills gap. While TVET enrollment has increased, rising from 32,203 in 2020/21 to 72,200 in 2025/26, the expansion is insufficient. Only about 14 percent of secondary students are in TVET programs, with men dominating enrollment at over 73 percent. This incomplete expansion fails to address gender barriers adequately.
Employers are also reporting significant challenges with graduate preparedness. A study by ACET and Eduwatch found that 80 percent of employers cite practical training gaps as their main hiring concern. Furthermore, 70 percent noted deficiencies in soft skills. Skills mismatch and outdated technical knowledge are also prevalent issues. This situation means Ghana is training individuals for a market it is not adequately listening to. Graduates are not job-ready due to inadequate practical experience and outdated skills.
Beyond financing, TVET institutions face infrastructure shortages. They require numerous classroom blocks, workshops, and dormitories. There is also a need for over 206,000 student desks and 116,000 dormitory beds. Regional disparities are also evident. For instance, the North East Region has a 100 percent shortfall in dining furniture. Digital readiness is another concern, with only 10 out of 261 TVET schools having internet access.