UEW Vice-Chancellor Urges TVET Reforms at Anamuah-Mensah Lecture Launch
Prof. Stephen Jobson Mitchual, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Education, Winneba (UEW) has called for urgent and deliberate reforms in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) systems to equip Africa’s youthful population with practical skills for economic transformation.
Delivering the welcome address at the inaugural Jophus Anamuah-Mensah Annual Public Lecture on TVET Transformation in Africa, held at the Jophus Anamuah-Mensah Conference Centre on UEW’s North Campus on Friday, 27th March 2026, the Vice-Chancellor stressed that addressing unemployment on the continent requires a decisive shift from theory-driven education to skills-based training.
Framing the lecture as both a tribute and a moment of critical reflection, Prof. Mitchual emphasised that the gathering was not merely ceremonial but a strategic intervention aimed at confronting one of Africa’s most pressing challenges, youth unemployment.
“This is not just about convening a lecture. It is about honouring a legacy and confronting a question Africa can no longer postpone: how to turn our youthful population into a skilled, productive force for transformation,” he stated.
The Vice-Chancellor underscored the need to realign education systems with the demands of modern economies. He noted that the long-standing emphasis on academic certificates over practical competence has limited the continent’s ability to fully harness its human capital.
“For too long, our systems have rewarded theory over practice, certificates over competence and prestige over productivity. Today, economies are built not just on what people know but on what they can do with what they know,” he remarked.
Prof. Mitchual argued that a reimagined TVET framework must prioritise hands-on training and industry relevance, highlighting the importance of integrating master craftsmen into formal education systems to bridge the gap between classroom instruction and real-world application.
Drawing on his experience as a former Dean of the Faculty of Technical Education, he pointed to ongoing efforts where students are increasingly attached to skilled artisans at worksites to gain practical exposure. He described such initiatives as critical in preparing graduates for the realities of the job market. “Degrees without purpose create expectations, but skills with purpose create economies,” he emphasised, reinforcing the central message of his address.
The Vice-Chancellor also used the platform to pay tribute to Prof. Jophus Anamuah-Mensah whose legacy the lecture series seeks to celebrate. He described the former Vice-Chancellor as a visionary leader whose contributions were instrumental in shaping UEW into a leading institution for teacher education in Africa.
According to him, Prof. Anamuah-Mensah’s impact extended beyond institutional leadership to national policy, particularly his role in Ghana’s landmark 2002 education reform which continues to influence subsequent reforms in the sector.
“Universities are not accidents; they are deliberately built by people with vision, courage and persistence,” he noted, adding that the naming of the conference centre after Prof. Anamuah-Mensah serves as a constant reminder of the enduring value of purposeful leadership.
Prof. Mitchual further indicated that the annual public lecture is intended to evolve into a continental hub for thought leadership on skills development, bringing together policymakers, industry players and academia to generate practical solutions to Africa’s development challenges.
He concluded with a call for collective responsibility in shaping the future of education and workforce development, stressing that meaningful progress will depend on deliberate investment in systems that promote competence, productivity and opportunity.
The maiden lecture formed part of efforts to advance educational reforms and strengthen its role in national and continental development through impactful academic and policy-driven engagements.
