The Chairman of the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), Prof. George Gyan-Baffour, has underscored the need for a coordinated and strategic approach to human capital development in Ghana as a pathway to economic growth.
Speaking at a three-day stakeholder workshop for Human Capital Development Strategy organized by NDPC, he noted that since gaining independence in 1957, Ghana has implemented various policies to improve human capital.
He highlighted the country’s journey through several Medium-Term National Development Policy Frameworks, including the Ghana Poverty Reduction Strategy (GPRS) and the Ghana Shared Growth and Development Agenda, to enhance job creation and improve educational outcomes.
Despite these efforts, he stated that recent reports indicate significant disparities in educational outcomes between urban and rural areas, with low literacy rates particularly affecting rural communities and females.
He noted that the National Educational Assessment revealed alarming proficiency levels, with only 25 per cent of Primary 4 pupils achieving competency in English and just 19 per cent in Mathematics.
“This educational shortfall has contributed to rising youth unemployment, currently at 19.7 per cent for those aged 15-35, and a staggering 32.8 per cent for young adults aged 15-24.
“These figures highlight an urgent need to rethink our human capital development strategies. A lack of collaboration across sectors has limited our ability to achieve impactful results, despite the numerous human capital initiatives underway,” he added.
Prof. Gyan-Baffour pointed to successful models from countries like Singapore and China, advocating for a strategic investment in human resources to foster innovation and adaptability in an era of rapid technological change.
“As we strive for sustainable development, this workshop represents a crucial opportunity to reshape our approach to human capital development. Together, we can create a framework that aligns our human capital strategies with the broader goals of social and economic transformation,” he said.
He urged stakeholders to propose innovative mechanisms for the preparation, implementation and evaluation of the new strategy.
The workshop formed part of efforts to improve socioeconomic transformation by identifying skill gaps, investigating labour market challenges, and gathering insights on effective human capital interventions.
The NDPC would use the insights gained from this engagement to formulate a robust Human Capital Development Strategy that addresses the identified gaps and promotes equitable opportunities for all Ghanaians.
Patience Anaadem, ISD
