The Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Mr Zechariah Luhanga, has hailed the partnership between Ghana and Zambia in skills development, saying the collaboration provides an important platform for strengthening technical and vocational education and training, enhancing employability, and supporting sustainable economic transformation.
Mr. Luhanga was speaking during a private sector engagement forum held at the Zambia Institute for Tourism and Hospitality Studies (ZITHS) in Lusaka, as part of the Exchange Mission between the EU-Ghana Pact for Skills Project and Zambia's Skills Development for Increased Employability Programme (SDEP).
The Exchange Mission, supported by the European Union (EU) and the International Labour Organization (ILO), has brought together key Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) stakeholders from Ghana and Zambia to share experiences, learn from one another, and strengthen collaboration in skills development.
Mr. Luhanga commended the initiative, noting that Zambia has recorded important gains in skills development through efforts aimed at improving the quality, relevance, and responsiveness of training systems to labour market demands.
"The partnership with Ghana would help both countries draw lessons from each other's experiences and identify practical approaches to developing skilled, employable, and productive workforces," he said.
The mission focuses on key areas including improving TVET governance and coordination, enhancing skills funding mechanisms, promoting work-based learning and private sector engagement, and advancing green and digital skills in response to the changing world of work.
During the forum, participants engaged in sector skills development sessions led by sector skills bodies in mining, energy, agriculture, and tourism. These sectors are considered critical to Zambia's economic growth, job creation, and industrial development.
The engagement also highlighted the central role of the private sector in shaping skills development.
Stakeholders discussed the need for closer collaboration between government, employers, workers' organisations, training institutions, and industry bodies to ensure that TVET programmes respond effectively to current and future labour market needs.
Through study visits, policy discussions, and industry engagement, the Exchange Mission seeks to build stronger partnerships and support more effective training systems in both Ghana and Zambia.
Participants noted that strengthening skills development is key to empowering young people with relevant competencies, creating decent jobs, improving productivity, and driving inclusive economic growth.
The Ghanaian delegation and Zambian stakeholders are expected to continue exchanging best practices on sector-based skills planning, sustainable financing of skills development, work-based learning models, and the integration of green and digital skills into training systems.
Supported by the EU and ILO, the Ghana-Zambia collaboration reflects a shared commitment to shaping a future where skills lead to opportunity, decent work, and sustainable development.
