Ghana, Canada agree on youth skills development and support for Women’s Development Bank

Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has announced a series of agreements between Ghana and Canada aimed at creating job opportunities for young people, supporting the establishment of Ghana’s Women’s Development Bank and promoting sustainable mining practices.

The agreements followed what Mr Ablakwa described as positive and meaningful discussions with Canada’s Secretary of State for International Development, Randeep Sarai.

In a Facebook post on Wednesday, October 28, the minister said the discussions had produced commitments in areas including skills development, peacekeeping, environmental protection and economic cooperation.

“I have held very positive and meaningful discussions with the distinguished Canadian Secretary of State for International Development, Honourable Randeep Sarai,” he wrote.

One key outcome is a proposed partnership to improve employment opportunities for young people in Ghana and equip them with skills to compete in the global job market.

According to Mr Ablakwa, the two countries will collaborate on labour mobility and skills development, focusing on digital literacy, internationally recognised certification, the energy transition, and technical and vocational education and training (TVET).

The partnership is expected to help young people acquire relevant skills and improve their access to employment opportunities both locally and internationally.

However, the minister did not provide details on the implementation timeline or the number of young people expected to benefit.

Canada has also committed to providing technical support for the establishment of Ghana’s Women’s Development Bank, which is intended to improve women’s access to financial services and support their participation in economic activities.

Mr Ablakwa listed the commitment among the outcomes of the discussions, stating that “Canada will offer technical support for the establishment of Ghana’s Women’s Development Bank”.

Ghana and Canada have further agreed to strengthen their collaboration with the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC).

Mr Ablakwa said the partnership would help the Ghanaian institution expand its contribution to regional stability and counterterrorism efforts.

Environmental protection, land reclamation and sustainable mining were also discussed, with the two countries agreeing to cooperate on modern approaches to environmental protection and the rehabilitation of degraded land while promoting legal and sustainable mining practices.

Another outcome is an agreement to coordinate a broader Africa-Canada dialogue next year, focusing on the continent’s economic transformation.

The proposed discussions will cover trade, industrialisation, railway development and value addition.

Mr Ablakwa said Africa’s development ambitions should be driven by stronger economic activity and productive investment rather than continued dependence on aid.

He described the approach as one that prioritises “trade, industrialisation, railway development, value addition and not aid”.

The minister also praised Mr Sarai for his relationship with Ghana, citing the Canadian official’s decision to make the country his first destination after his appointment last year.

“The Honourable Randeep Sarai is a great friend of Ghana, as demonstrated by his conscious decision to make Ghana the first country he visited last year immediately after his appointment,” Mr Ablakwa said.

“We reaffirm our buoyant Ghana 🇬🇭 Canada 🇨🇦 relations,” he added.