Why Ghana's TVET system is failing – Former UG VC speaks out

A former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Emeritus Professor Ernest Aryeetey, has issued a stern warning regarding Ghana's Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).

He argued that the system is currently "leading nowhere" due to improper structures and political interference.

Speaking on The Point of View on Channel One TV on Monday, October 20, 2025, Prof Aryeetey stressed that while TVET holds "tremendous potential," poorly conceived reforms and political motives have undermined its effectiveness.

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Professor Aryeetey was emphatic that the purpose of TVET is being distorted by policymakers.

"TVET, properly structured, is a good idea. When you do TVET for the wrong reasons, as I have seen in this country, it can lead nowhere. TVET is important, but let’s do it properly," he said.

He urged the government to abandon political agendas in favour of evidence-based approaches, calling on authorities to involve genuine experts who understand how to make vocational education effective for the workforce.

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"If we want to do it properly, there are people in this country who can show us how to do it instead of making it political. Many of our reforms in education have been politically motivated; that is why we’re not getting the results," he asserted.

Beyond TVET, Prof Aryeetey criticised Ghana’s broader education reforms, arguing that they are making the system worse instead of better, by focusing on "micro-level" and superficial changes that ignore core challenges.

He lamented that too much focus is placed on pushing students toward university degrees, even when vocational training would be more beneficial.

“Most of my time in education has been spent fighting these types of micro-level reforms that simply worsen the situation.

“There is enough research being done... that shows the type of education you can provide at the basic, Junior High, and Senior High levels that produce productive, versatile students. They don’t need a university degree to be able to do things," he added.

He challenged the system's foundational philosophy of pointing every learner towards the university system.

"… we’ve built a system that funnels everyone into universities. It is wrong, and it will always be wrong," he said.

VPO/AE

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