Mr. Julian Opuni, Managing Director of Fidelity Bank, has urged stronger collaboration between industry and education to bridge Ghana’s skills gap.
He made the call at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Design and Technology Institute (DTI) Berekuso Multi-Skills Campus in the Eastern Region.
In a speech at the event, Mr. Opuni highlighted the persistent disconnect between classroom learning and workplace requirements.
“There is a story many of us have come to accept as normal, even though it should not be. A young person works hard in school, completes their education, and steps into the world full of hope.
“But somewhere between the classroom and the workplace, that hope begins to fade. Not because they lack ambition or intelligence, but because the system has not fully prepared them for what comes next,” he said.
Mr. Opuni said the gap created a situation where businesses struggled to find skilled talent, while many young people faced challenges in securing meaningful employment.
“DTI does not just teach theory. It builds capability, prepares young people not just to look for jobs, but to be ready for them, and in many cases to create their own,” he said.
The USD 28 million Berekuso Multi-Skills Campus is a major expansion aimed at strengthening technical and vocational training in Ghana.
Mr. Opuni said Fidelity Bank’s support was intended to strengthen the ecosystem for economic growth and opportunity.
“As a proudly Ghanaian bank, we have always believed that our role goes beyond providing financial services.
“We are part of a larger ecosystem. Long-term progress depends on how well that system works for everyone, including how young people move from education into work and how they are supported along that journey,” he said.
Mr. Opuni said that the Bank’s USD 100,000 contribution towards a Student Centre at the campus would provide a space for practical skills acquisition, industry engagement, and confidence-building for careers or entrepreneurship.
He said the Bank would continue to support DTI beyond infrastructure through initiatives such as financial literacy, entrepreneurship development, and access to financial services for graduates and young entrepreneurs.
Ms. Constance Swaniker, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of DTI, described the project as a strategic investment in Africa’s workforce.
“With over 60 per cent of Africa’s population under 25, the opportunity is immense, but only if we equip our youth with relevant, industry-ready skills,” she said.
