Ministry Of Education Calls for Increased Investment in Human Capital Development
The Ministry of Education has called for increased investment in human capital development.
According to the ministry, people remain the most valuable resource in an increasingly technology-driven global economy
Delivering a keynote address on behalf of the Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, at the Chartered Institute of Human Resource Management (CIHRM) 2026 Conference in Accra, Director at the Ministry, Mr. Stephen Owusu, said Ghana’s development ambitions will largely depend on the quality of its workforce and the country’s ability to continuously educate, train and empower its citizens.
Addressing participants on the theme of leadership, technology and governance, Mr. Owusu noted that rapid advancements in artificial intelligence, automation, robotics and other emerging technologies are transforming the future of work and reshaping labour market demands across the world.
“Technology and governance are forward-looking themes that speak directly to the realities of a rapidly changing world, where people, knowledge, innovation and technology have become the most valuable drivers of economic growth and national competitiveness,” he said.
He stressed that while natural resources and infrastructure remain important, a nation’s greatest asset is its people, adding that sustained investment in education and skills development is essential for national transformation.
Mr. Owusu outlined government efforts to strengthen education and skills development through investments in foundational learning, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), teacher development, digital learning and lifelong learning programmes.
He said these interventions are aimed at equipping young people with the skills required to respond to emerging opportunities and challenges in a rapidly changing global economy.
According to him, employers are increasingly demanding workers who possess not only technical knowledge but also critical twenty-first-century skills such as creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, adaptability, communication and digital literacy.
Mr. Owusu therefore called for stronger collaboration between educational institutions, industry players, policymakers and professional bodies to ensure that training outcomes align with labour market needs.
He referenced the recently concluded E-Learning Africa 2026 Conference hosted by the Ministry of Education, where stakeholders emphasised the importance of leveraging technology to advance education, skills development and innovation across the continent.
“One key message that emerged from the conference was that the future belongs to nations that invest in their people and equip them with the skills needed to thrive in a digital world,” he noted.
He further highlighted the evolving role of human resource professionals, describing them as strategic leaders who are now central to organisational transformation, rather than mere administrators of personnel processes.
He said modern HR practitioners are expected to lead talent development, manage organisational change, foster innovation and build inclusive and productive workplace cultures.
Mr. Owusu emphasised that organisations must prioritise continuous learning, workforce reskilling, diversity, inclusion and ethical leadership to remain competitive in the changing world of work.
He identified leadership, technology and governance as the key pillars driving human capital development in Ghana.
According to him, effective leadership provides direction and vision, technology enhances productivity and innovation, while good governance ensures accountability, transparency, fairness and institutional resilience.
Mr. Owusu called for collective action among government agencies, employers, educational institutions, professional associations, labour organisations and development partners to strengthen systems that value people, reward innovation and uphold integrity.
