At the inaugural edition of Africa Skills Week (ASW) held in Accra, Ghana, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, Ghana’s Minister of Education, underscored the critical need for African nations to improve learning environments for children across the continent.

Dr. Adutwum emphasized that it is the collective responsibility of governments and stakeholders to ensure African children are equipped with the skills required to excel in the modern world.

“If we do not ensure African children become among the best in the world, we will have failed them,” Dr. Adutwum declared. He highlighted the importance of providing children with the necessary tools and knowledge to thrive in the 21st-century workforce, stressing that the future of Africa’s children depends on the quality of education they receive today.

Africa Skills Week

Africa Skills Week, a five-day event that brings together key educational stakeholders from across the continent, is a critical initiative launched by the African Union (AU).

The theme for this year’s event, “Skills and Jobs for the 21st Century: Quality Skills Development for Sustainable Employability in Africa,” encapsulates the continent’s urgent need for an adaptable and future-ready workforce.

ASW is part of a broader AU initiative under Agenda 2063, which seeks to foster resilient and transformative education systems that support sustainable development across Africa.

The event serves as a platform to stimulate action, improve policies, and reform systems to better align with the demands of a rapidly evolving global job market.

Balancing TVET and STEM for Africa’s Future

Dr. Adutwum also emphasized the critical intersection between Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education.

He argued that while Africa’s focus on TVET is essential, a deeper commitment to STEM education is crucial to the continent’s competitiveness on the global stage.

“The innovation that comes with STEM is what will make Africa relevant,” Dr. Adutwum noted. “If we continue to rely solely on imported technologies from the West, we will lag behind in the global race for progress.”

In addition to the focus on traditional education pathways, the Minister stressed the importance of nurturing soft skills such as critical thinking, creativity, communication, emotional intelligence, and leadership. These skills, he said, are increasingly crucial in a world where adaptability and innovation drive success.

Call for Greater Collaboration and Infrastructure Development

Recognizing the pressing challenges faced by the continent, Dr. Adutwum called on development partners to invest in the educational infrastructure necessary to support Africa’s children.

He reiterated the need for collaboration between governments, private sector partners, and international organizations to build the schools and provide the resources required to give all children, regardless of background, an equal opportunity to succeed.

Professor Mohammed Belhocine, AU Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation, echoed these sentiments, urging African businesses to play a more active role in workforce development.

He emphasized that Africa’s growth and prosperity depend on inclusive education systems that reach girls, women, persons with disabilities, and marginalized communities, particularly those affected by conflict or crises.

“As we work to close the skills gap, we must ensure that no one is left behind,” Prof. Belhocine said, calling ASW a reminder of the continent’s responsibility to invest in its youth.

Shaping the Future of Africa

Prof. Belhocine further stressed that Africa Skills Week should not be merely a celebratory event but a rallying call for tangible investment in the continent’s future. “It is our responsibility to provide the youth with the tools they need to shape a brighter, more prosperous tomorrow,” he remarked.

As the African Union continues its work to support member states in strengthening education systems and workforce development, both Dr. Adutwum and Prof. Belhocine made it clear: Africa’s future lies in its ability to create resilient, inclusive, and forward-thinking education ecosystems that equip its children with the skills and knowledge to thrive in the 21st century.

In this light, Africa Skills Week serves not just as a platform for discussion but as a foundation for action, ensuring that the continent’s youth are not only ready for the future but empowered to lead it.