The Kumasi Technical Institute (KTI) has received a major boost in its quest to train world-class artisans and professionals following the official commissioning of refurbished workshops and the launch of the Precision Quality™ (PQ) Internship Program. The initiative, spearheaded by the Design and Technology Institute (DTI) in collaboration with KTI and supported by the Mastercard Foundation, is being hailed as a turning point for Ghana’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector.
The ceremony, held at the KTI Auditorium, symbolised not just the renewal of infrastructure but the beginning of a transformative journey in technical education. Four key departments—Welding and Fabrication, Fashion, Carpentry, and Upholstery—have undergone extensive refurbishment, with modern tools and equipment installed to align training with global industry standards. These improved facilities are expected to provide students with the practical skills, discipline, and innovation needed to thrive in today’s competitive job market.
In her address, the Founder and President of the Design and Technology Institute,Ms Constance Elizabeth Swaniker, emphasised that the initiative reflects DTI’s long-standing commitment to Precision Quality™—a philosophy built on discipline, consistency, and excellence. She explained that the PQ framework is designed not only to enhance technical competency but also to nurture the right mindset among young people. “This collaboration is about instilling in learners the ability to get things right the first time, to innovate, and to build resilience,” she stated. “It is an investment in the potential of Ghana’s youth and in the country’s industrial future.”
The Principal of KTI, Mr. Gabriel Kingsford Osei, described the collaboration as “historic” and praised DTI and its partners for their vision. He noted that the upgraded workshops and the PQ Internship Program would allow students to receive competency-based training directly tied to industry needs. “This is a promise to our students—that their training will be relevant, their skills will be recognised, and their future will be secure,” he remarked. Mr. Osei further urged learners to embrace the opportunities with diligence and pride, assuring them that KTI’s transformation represents not just progress for the school but a new direction for technical education across Ghana.
The event also marked the commissioning of the Precision Quality™ Innovation Hub, a state-of-the-art centre at KTI that will focus on applied research, entrepreneurship, and innovation. The hub will serve as a national model for redefining work-based learning and is expected to expand access to PQ programs beyond KTI students. Beneficiaries will include DTI interns, students from other institutions, and even unemployed youth from surrounding communities, creating an inclusive platform for skills development and job creation.
The launch drew a wide array of stakeholders, including representatives from the Ghana TVET Service, the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), COPTI Ashanti, local government officials, parents, guardians, and community leaders. Their collective endorsement of the initiative underscored the importance of partnerships between academia, industry, and government in equipping Ghana’s workforce for global competitiveness.
The DTI-KTI Strategic Collaboration, backed by the Mastercard Foundation, is being widely regarded as a bold step in bridging the gap between classroom learning and industry requirements. By embedding the Precision Quality™ framework into training and providing students with hands-on experience through internships, the partnership is setting a new benchmark for TVET excellence. Thousands of young Ghanaians—especially women, marginalised groups, and persons with disabilities—are expected to benefit, ensuring that the ripple effects of the initiative extend far beyond the walls of KTI.
As the program begins its rollout, expectations are high that the combination of modernised workshops, the PQ Internship Program, and the Innovation Hub will produce a new generation of skilled professionals ready to power Ghana’s industrial and economic transformation.
