3 Institutions partner to enhance training in waste management

Three institutions, the Commission for Technical, Vocational Education and Training (C-TVET), the Ghana TVET Service (GTVETS) and the Jospong Group have signed a partnership agreement to boost skills development in the waste management and sanitation sector.

The signing of the agreement was held at a ceremony fostered and facilitated by GIZ through the Pact for skills: Support to the transformation of the TVET system in Ghana project, on behalf of its commisioning parties, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and the European Union (EU).

It seeks to bridge the gap between academic instruction and practical application by introducing a robust workplace experiential learning (WEL) programme for learners and facilitators under GTVETS.

Through the partnership, technical schools are expected to gain access to cutting-edge equipment and industry-grade technology, enabling a hands-on learning environment that mirrors real world workplaces.

It would also facilitate the accreditation of three selected technical schools to offer to offer the country’s newly developed competency-based training (CBT) programme in recycling technology.

The beneficiary schools had already received learners through the 2024-2025 CSSPS placement system for relevant training.

The programme in its initial phase had been implemented in three technical institutions — Dabokpa Technical Institute, Tamale — Kumasi Technical Institute and Takoradi Technical Institute.

Partnership 

Addressing a two-day workshop in Accra on Tuesday for facilitators and other stakeholders of the programme, the Senior Project Manager of GIZ, Sebastian Wenz, underscored the importance of industry partnerships in ensuring that technical and vocational students received practical training aligned with evolving technologies.

“Over the years, we have invested heavily in education equipment but frequent technological changes often render them obsolete,” he said.

“A key part of transforming Ghana’s TVET system is strengthening collaboration between government institutions and the private sector. 

“Ultimately, the private sector absorbs TVET graduates, and this partnership ensures that learners receive industry-standard practical experience,” Mr Wenz added.

He explained that the initial rollout in the three institutions was strategic since that would allow for infrastructure expansion and facilitator training to ensure a smooth transition to the new curriculum. 

Mr Wenz, however, emphasised that the programme would be expanded to other TVET institutions as the model was being refined.

“By leveraging Jospong Group’s expertise in waste management, composting and recycling, this collaboration ensures that students gain practical skills that meet industry standards,” he added.

Commitment 

The Head of Technical, Jospong Group of Companies, Derick Kwabena Mintah, on behalf of the Executive Chairman, Joseph Siaw Agyepong, reiterated the company’s commitment to training and skills development in waste management, agribusiness, hospitality, logistics and the media.

He emphasised the company’s long-standing dedication to capacity building through partnerships with institutions such as GIZ and TVET Service.

“Since the inception of our company, training has been one of our core duties. To enhance waste management skills in Ghana, we have partnered with GIZ and TVET Service,” Mr Mintah added.

As part of their commitment, he said the Group had established 16 integrated recycling plants across the country, with facilities in all three selected TVET schools participating in the partnership. 

Green skills

The Chief Director of  the Ghana TVET Service, Dr Eric Kofi Adzroe, reaffirmed his entity’s commitment to green skills training as part of a broader effort to align technical and vocational education with environmental sustainability.

He stressed the need to incorporate green concepts into TVET programmes to equip young people with the necessary skills for a sustainable future.

Dr Adzroe revealed that the TVET Service had already developed a Green Model Infrastructure concept which was expected to guide future developments in the sector. 

For his part, the Director-General of C-TVET, Zakaria Sulemana, in a speech read on his behalf, reaffirmed their commitment to integrate greening philosophies into the country’s TVET system to align with global sustainability standards.