The Member of Parliament for the Ho Central Constituency, Richmond Edem Kofi Kpotosu has called on artisans and young people to embrace skills development as a strategic pathway to tackling unemployment and boosting local economic growth.
According to him, the acquisition of practical and technical skills remains one of the most reliable means of creating sustainable employment opportunities, particularly for the youth.
Speaking at a recent town hall gathering of artisans in Ho, the capital of the Volta Region, the lawmaker noted that the growing challenges of job scarcity require innovative approaches that focus on equipping young people with employable skills rather than relying solely on formal white-collar jobs.
Hon. Kpotosu stressed that vocational training and technical education have the potential to transform the lives of many young people if given the needed attention and support.
“Skills development is the future of employment. If we invest in the training of our artisans and provide them with the right tools and opportunities, they can create jobs not only for themselves but also for others,” he said.
He urged artisans including carpenters, electricians, welders, masons and dressmakers to continually upgrade their skills in order to remain competitive in the modern economy.
The Ho Central MP also underscored the need for stronger collaboration between government institutions, private sector players and training centres to expand opportunities for skills development across the country, pointing out that technical and vocational training institutions play a crucial role in building a skilled workforce capable of supporting national development.
Hon. Kpotosu further encouraged young people to develop a positive attitude towards apprenticeship and vocational careers, emphasizing that artisanship should be viewed as a dignified and profitable profession.
He reiterated that the government, through various initiatives, remains committed to supporting skills training and entrepreneurship programmes aimed at empowering the youth.
The Ho Central lawmaker expressed optimism that with the right investment in skills training and innovation, communities across Ghana could harness the talents of their youth to drive economic progress and reduce unemployment.