Government signs MoU with German firms to train Ghanaian youth

The Ministry of Labour, Employment and Jobs has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a group of German organisations to provide technical and vocational training for young Ghanaians.

The partnership involves the Dominion Leaders Foundation (DLF), German BFW, and RETOG, and focuses on equipping Ghanaian youth with skills relevant to the construction industry, both locally and internationally.

Speaking at the signing ceremony in Accra, the Minister for Labour, Employment and Jobs, Dr. Rashid Pelpuo, said the agreement is part of broader efforts to address unemployment through practical skills development.

“As a country, we must go beyond theoretical education. Our youth need practical skills that can be transformed into meaningful economic contributions,” he said.

Ghana’s push for stronger vocational training in construction took a major leap as Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment, Hon. Dr. Abdul-Rashid Hassan Pelpuo (MP), led the signing of a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Dominion Leaders Foundation (DLF), Germany’s BFW, and RETOG.

The event formalized a partnership aimed at equipping Ghanaian youth with market-relevant, hands-on skills. The initiative is a key step toward the upcoming 4th Ghana-German Construction Day (GGCD 2025).

“This is more than an agreement, it’s a shared commitment to empowering young people with practical skills that create real jobs,” Dr. Pelpuo said.

The MoU forms part of preparations for the 4th Ghana-German Construction Forum, expected to take place in 2025. As part of the programme, trainees will receive German language instruction to support possible employment opportunities in Germany’s construction sector.

The partnership will also offer hands-on apprenticeship opportunities, aligning training with real industry demands.

Leader of the German delegation, Martha Annan, disclosed that Ghanaian trainees selected under the programme will receive a monthly stipend. First-year trainees will earn €1,000, second-year trainees €1,200, and third-year trainees up to €1,500.

She said other African countries, including Cameroon, are already benefiting from similar arrangements and expressed optimism that Ghanaian youth will also take full advantage of the opportunity.

The Ministry said the MoU is one of several ongoing initiatives to boost Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in Ghana. These include the Adwumawura Programme, which seeks to engage over 10,000 young people in agriculture and other key sectors.

The government has also secured additional funding to enhance TVET infrastructure and expand access across the country.