The government of Ghana, through its agencies, will in June embark on an a survey to assess the mismatch between qualifications and skill in the job market, officials said at a stakeholder’s engagement on Thursday.
The Ministry of Labour, Jobs and Employment and the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) will lead other stakeholder institutions to conduct the survey after a successful pilot in the Greater Accra, Northern, and Upper West regions.
The survey aims to identify critical gaps in the skills and qualifications of the country’s human resources in various sectors and generate data that will inform evidence-based policymaking, particularly to bridge the gap between education, skills and labour.
Opening the stakeholder engagement, Rashid Pelpuo, Minister for Jobs, Labour and Employment, said the government recognises the critical need for comprehensive data to address mismatches in employment in the country.
Pelpuo noted that countries worldwide are focused on economic growth by improving labour productivity, while economies like Ghana, which once absorbed many low-skilled workers, especially in agriculture, technological advancements, are now reducing demand for such jobs.
“This challenge is compounded by the perceived shortage of critical skills and the mismatch between qualifications/skills and the labour market needs. These gaps hinder proper placement and utilisation of employees, affecting both formal and informal sectors of our economy,” the minister added in the speech read for him by Gloria Borteley Noi, Acting Chief Director of the ministry.
Jane Geraldo-Acolatse, Focal Person for labour, jobs and employment at GSS, said the survey would help bridge the gap between academia and industry, as well as help in policy planning and evidence-based decision making.
Shadrack Mensah, Director of Research, GSS, said the recruitment of enumerators through its online portal had already commenced, awaiting training and orientation for those selected.