Ghana’s Deputy Minister for Education, Dr. Clement Abas Apaak, has called on the country’s international partners to transition from traditional donor support to active collaboration aimed at transforming the educational landscape.
Addressing guests on Friday, October 9, at the launch of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation’s new Accra office, Dr. Apaak argued that modern partnerships must rest on shared goals, joint ventures, and measurable outcomes for the nation’s youth.
“I would encourage AICS and all our Italian partners to see the Ministry of Education as a willing and active collaborator in that effort, not merely a recipient of support,” he remarked.
The Deputy Minister maintained that the Ministry maintains an open-door approach for Italian stakeholders, including the Italian Embassy and AICS, welcoming dialogue on novel strategies, ongoing initiatives, and the alignment of Italian expertise with Ghanaian educational targets.
“To that end, I want to state clearly that the Ministry of Education operates an open-door policy. AICS, the Embassy of Italy and all Italian partners are welcome at the Ministry at any time, to discuss new ideas, deepen existing programmes, or explore where our priorities and your expertise can meet,” he added.
According to Dr. Apaak, deepened ties with Italy hold the potential to unlock new prospects in technical and vocational education and training, higher education, research, and innovation. He highlighted existing bilateral programmes such as RISE-G, INSPIRE, and SEE as instrumental in bolstering the TVET ecosystem, enhancing instructor proficiency, and broadening prospects for young Ghanaians.
The Ministry is also keen to see closer institutional partnerships forged between Ghanaian and Italian tertiary institutions to stimulate research and knowledge sharing, while bridging the gap between academia and industry demands. Equipping the younger generation with relevant skills for a dynamic economy remains vital to national development.
“The opening of this office is more than a new address in Accra. It reflects the strength of the partnership between Ghana and Italy, and our shared commitment to deepening cooperation for sustainable development,” Dr. Apaak noted.
The newly inaugurated AICS office marks a fresh chapter in bilateral relations between Accra and Rome, setting the stage for expanded cooperation in human capital development.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana