Education Minister raises alarm over low female participation in TVET

Education Minister, Haruna Iddrisu has expressed concern about the persistent low enrolment of girls in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes across Ghana, despite the growing demand for skilled labour in the country.

Speaking during a monitoring visit to the ongoing 2025 TVET examinations in Koforidua, Eastern Region, the Minister described the gender gap as a pressing issue that could hinder national development and efforts toward gender equity in the workforce.

“This year, over 55,000 students are taking part in the TVET examinations, yet only 14,000 of them are female,” Mr. Iddrisu said.

“This is not just a statistic — it is a wake-up call. We cannot build a robust, inclusive economy when half of our population is underrepresented in critical sectors like skilled trades.”

He emphasized the need for targeted interventions to encourage more girls to pursue careers in technical and vocational fields, which offer promising pathways to employment and entrepreneurship.

The Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to promoting gender balance in education and called on stakeholders — including schools, parents, and industry leaders — to work collaboratively to change the narrative.