Examining training and skills development of youth and young adults in the Ghanaian context: an HRD perspective

Abstract

Over the years, Ghana like many other countries in Africa has adopted policies and initiatives to address the skills needs of the different segments of the population to meet its growth and development agenda. The focus on skills development, which is part of the country’s goals of socio-economic growth and development, suggests that human resource development (HRD) priorities dominate Ghana’s strategic agenda. To understand how HRD practices and activities occur in Ghana, it is important to consider the range and levels of skills development, as a sizeable number of youth and young adults end up in the informal employment sector after primary and secondary education. The purpose of this article is to highlight initiatives and policies targeted at raising the range and levels of skills to meet the socio-economic development needs in Ghana. We review the national strategy for human development and assess the efficacy of existing long-range initiatives and policies, thereby providing a nuanced view of HRD in the Ghanaian context.