Freetown: The Ministry of Technical Higher Education (MTHE), in collaboration with public and private Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) stakeholders, concluded a three-day capacity-building workshop organised by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission. The workshop, held from 7th to 9th July at the Atlantic Lumley Hotel in Freetown, focused on the ECOWAS TVET Strategy for Skills Improvement and Employability, aiming to strengthen skills development and improve youth employability across the sub-region.
According to Sierra Leone News Agency, the workshop brought together key actors in Sierra Leone’s TVET sector to enhance institutional capacity, strengthen partnerships, and promote the harmonisation of TVET systems in alignment with regional standards. Speaking on behalf of the ECOWAS Commissioner for Human Development and Social Affairs, Prof. Fatou Sow Sarr, the Director of Education, Science and Culture at the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Roland Kouakou, commended the Government of Sierra Leone’s commitment to advancing the TVET sector. He highlighted that the workshop is part of ECOWAS’ broader strategy to harmonise TVET systems, strengthen institutional capacity, promote regional collaboration, address skills gaps, and improve employability across member states. Dr. Kouakou reaffirmed ECOWAS’ commitment to supporting Sierra Leone in building a modern, resilient, and responsive TVET system through stronger institutional governance, public-private partnerships, and innovative teaching and learning approaches.
In her keynote address, the Minister of Technical Higher Education, Dr. Haja Ramatulai Wurie, emphasized the importance of equipping young people with practical skills to drive national development. She noted that future employment relies increasingly on technical skills, innovation, and the creativity of young people. “Our greatest resource is our young people,” the Minister stated. “We must equip them with skills and opportunities to participate meaningfully in the economy, moving from dependency to entrepreneurship.” Dr. Wurie called on TVET stakeholders to work collectively in creating an enabling environment that promotes inclusion, expands opportunities, and transforms Sierra Leone’s socio-economic landscape through quality skills development.
The Minister highlighted the shared commitment from Sierra Leone and ECOWAS to strengthen TVET partnerships, enhance productivity and entrepreneurship, and create sustainable opportunities for young people. She noted that TVET is a critical pillar of Sierra Leone’s national development agenda, with government reforms extending beyond expanding education access to ensuring quality learning, skills development, and economic empowerment.
As part of ongoing reforms, Dr. Wurie announced the Government’s appointment of an experienced TVET professional as Chairperson of the National Council for Technical Vocational and Other Academic Awards (NCTVA) Council to strengthen governance and deepen collaboration between the government and industry. She highlighted the Ministry’s milestones, including the harmonisation of Sierra Leone’s National Qualifications Framework (SLNQF), removing barriers to TVET higher education, establishing the country’s Automotive Centre of Excellence, and developing Sierra Leone’s National Micro-Credentials Framework with the support of Commonwealth Learning. The Minister disclosed that the Government is advancing plans to transform Government Technical Institutes (GTIs) into Community Technical Colleges to expand access to quality technical education nationwide.
In her concluding address, Dr. Wurie thanked the ECOWAS Commission for its continued support in education and skills development across West Africa, describing the partnership as invaluable.
Technical sessions throughout the three-day programme were chaired by MTHE’s Deputy Chief Technical Higher Education Officer, Sia Fasuluku. The sessions were facilitated by ECOWAS expert Dr. Maama Sawaneh, while the National Council Technical Vocational Other Academic Awards (NCTVA) Public Relations Communications Expert, Oladapo Coulson-Olowu, served as rapporteur.
In closing, Coulson-Olowu presented a comprehensive report summarising discussions, key recommendations, and agreed actions for implementation in Sierra Leone. The report was unanimously adopted by participants.
In her closing remarks, Madam Sia Fasuluku expressed appreciation to the ECOWAS Commission, particularly Dr. Roland Kouakou and Aisha Usman, Head of Division Education Training, for the organisation and dedication to the workshop. She commended Dr. Maama Sawaneh for facilitating the technical sessions and thanked participants for their active engagement throughout the programme. Sia Fasuluku called for sustained collaboration and continuous professional development to ensure that the workshop knowledge translates into meaningful reforms, further strengthening Sierra Leone’s TVET sector.