By Stanley Kwabla Arku
Vice President, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, has assured the people of Klefe of government’s commitment to advancing technical education and youth development in the community.
Speaking on her behalf at this year’s Klefe Yam Festival, the Chief of Staff at the Office of the Vice President, Alex Segbefia, said the government recognized the pressing challenges of youth unemployment and the role of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in addressing them.
“Our youth are not just the leaders of tomorrow, but the active participants in today’s development,” Mr. Segbefia noted. “The initiative by the Klefe community to support the Technical Institute for over two decades is remarkable and aligns with government’s vision to strengthen TVET nationwide.”
Responding to appeals made by Togbe Koko Dzaga XI, Paramount Chief of Klefe, Mr. Segbefia announced that government will facilitate the immediate provision of essential materials needed to complete ongoing infrastructure projects at the Klefe Technical Institute. These include electrical accessories, plumbing and painting materials, fencing supplies, and 40 double-decker beds with mattresses for students.
In addition, he disclosed that the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) has been tasked to urgently assess the institute’s broader infrastructure needs, including an administration block, dormitories, dining hall, classrooms, and other facilities, for priority consideration in the next funding cycle.
In his address, Paramount Chief of Klefe Traditional Area, Togbe Koko Dzaga XI appealed to government, development partners, and citizens to rally behind the institute, which currently serves 150 students but struggles with limited infrastructure.
He emphasized that the stopgap five-unit dormitory is not enough to meet the growing demand and urged support for long-term solutions.
The Paramount Chief also called on citizens of Klefe, both at home and abroad, to invest in the community’s youth through mentorship, apprenticeships, and direct support.
“Let us bridge the widening gap between the generations,” he urged. “Share your experience, mentor a young person, and invest in our collective future. We cannot afford to let social media shape our children in the absence of active role models.”
Togbe Koko Dzaga further appealed for structured mentorship and apprenticeship opportunities with institutions such as the Ho Technical University, to equip young people with practical skills and prepare them for the job market.
The festival, which drew dignitaries, citizens, and development partners, was marked by a renewed commitment to resilient, and community-driven efforts to enhance education and development in Klefe.