Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, has urged the government to prioritize technical and vocational skills training to help the youth acquire practical abilities, rather than investing primarily in formal education.
Speaking during a parliamentary session on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, he said the youth lack technical and vocational skills and tend to look down on apprenticeships that would have created opportunities for them.
“There is a huge space where our youth lack technical education. We are investing in formal education, helping our children to earn white-collar job certificates,” he said.
He emphasized that the youth have degrees but dismisses apprenticeship skills that could generate opportunities.
He further stated that the country complains about galamsey, but it’s not the fault of those engaged in it; they are frustrated because there are no jobs in the country.
“We complain about galamsey, but a lot of them are frustrated, and they’re there. It is a serious national security threat. This is not the period for partisanship; it’s about our country, Ghana, and the policies that we implement, enact as a people,” he stated.
He urged the government to be serious about job creation, to support the private sector, create opportunities in industry, and focus on technical and vocational education.
He also called for making apprenticeships more attractive to encourage participation and ensure greater equity and balance.
Source: Bertina Ofosu
