Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has raised an alarm over the foreign domination of Ghana’s construction sector, a trend he attributes to a critical lack of technical skills among the nation’s youth.
He lamented that many young Ghanaians remain focused on pursuing traditional academic degrees, leaving lucrative trades largely untapped and allowing expatriates to fill the resulting labour gap.
Addressing the floor of Parliament, the minority leader urged the minister of education to adopt a formal policy aimed at strengthening technical training across the country.
He observed a direct correlation between the lack of skilled employment opportunities and the rise of illegal mining, or galamsey, noting that the involvement of youth in such activities now poses a significant threat to national security.
Alexander Afenyo-Markin cautioned that without strategic intervention, the frustrations of an unskilled workforce could eventually lead to a popular uprising against the political establishment, regardless of party affiliation.
To mitigate these risks, he suggested that investing in the private sector to stimulate job creation would prove more beneficial than maintaining an exclusive focus on the current educational framework.
He specifically emphasised the necessity of prioritising apprenticeship programmes to cultivate a generation of technically proficient individuals.
These remarks were made as Parliament deliberated on the University of Engineering and Agricultural Sciences Bill, 2025, legislation designed to expand specialised higher education.
Highlighting the practical consequences of the current educational bias, he stated, “Today in Ghana, some areas in the construction sector, like tile laying and P.O.P., are heavily dominated by foreigners… everyone is chasing an MSc, a BSc or a BA.”
He further stressed that a deliberate national shift toward vocational training is essential to equipping citizens with employable skills and reducing the country’s reliance on foreign labour.
He called upon the government to roll out initiatives that render technical education more attractive and accessible, encouraging the youth to value skilled trades as viable alternatives to traditional academic paths.
As Parliament continues to align the University of Engineering and Agricultural Sciences Bill with national development priorities, the legislation is expected to play a pivotal role in reshaping Ghana’s specialised education landscape.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
