EDII Ghana Gujarat Dialogue Brings India and Ghana Closer
EDII and Ghana Sign Skill Development Pact on World Youth Skills Day
India and Ghana have taken another step towards closer cooperation in skill development and entrepreneurship after signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during the Ghana Gujarat Dialogue on Skill Opportunities held at the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII) in Ahmedabad on Wednesday.
The dialogue was organised to mark World Youth Skills Day, an annual observance recognised by the United Nations to promote the importance of technical education, vocational training and employment opportunities for young people. The programme brought together government representatives, diplomats, education experts, industry leaders and policymakers to discuss workforce development and future collaboration between Gujarat and Ghana.
The event was attended by Gujarat Labour, Skill Development and Employment Minister Shri Kunvarjibhai Bavaliya as the chief guest. The guests of honour included Hon. Kwasi Agyemang Gyan-Tutu, Minister for Investment and Tourism of the Republic of Ghana, and H.E. Prof. Kwasi Obiri-Danso, High Commissioner of the Republic of Ghana to India. EDII Director General Dr Sunil Shukla and Dronelab Chief Executive Officer Nikhil Methiya were also present.
One of the main outcomes of the event was the signing of an MoU between EDII and the Government of Ghana. The agreement aims to develop joint programmes for capacity building, entrepreneurship training and skill development for young people in both countries.
The dialogue was organised in collaboration with Savishkar and focused on preparing young people for changing job markets, improving entrepreneurship education and building stronger links between educational institutions, governments and industry.
Skill development has become a growing priority for many countries as rapid advances in technology, automation and artificial intelligence continue to change the nature of work. Governments are placing greater emphasis on practical training, digital skills and entrepreneurship to help young people find employment or create businesses of their own.
The United Nations established World Youth Skills Day in 2014, and it has since become an international platform to discuss ways of preparing young people for future careers. The observance also supports the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those linked to quality education, decent work and economic growth.
Addressing the gathering, Shri Kunvarjibhai Bavaliya said Gujarat was working to strengthen its entrepreneurial environment by connecting skill development with employment opportunities and industry participation.
“We are consistently working to build a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem by integrating skill development, employment generation and strong industry collaboration, and also focusing on technology-driven training and outcome-oriented initiatives. As economies become interconnected, international collaborations have become an important platform, providing valuable opportunities to exchange knowledge, share best practices and develop innovative approaches to address emerging trends. This dialogue will strengthen the partnership between Gujarat and Ghana while opening new avenues for collaboration in skill development, entrepreneurship and inclusive economic growth. I am sure initiatives like these will help us achieve the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat 2047.”
India has expanded its focus on skill development during the past decade through programmes such as Skill India, the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana and various state-level initiatives. Gujarat has introduced several schemes aimed at improving vocational education, industrial training and employment opportunities while encouraging entrepreneurship among young people.
Speaking at the event, Hon. Kwasi Agyemang Gyan-Tutu said the partnership reflected the shared interest of both countries in creating economic opportunities through skills and entrepreneurship.
“It is truly encouraging to see Ghana and Gujarat come together to strengthen their partnership in areas of mutual interest. Skill development and entrepreneurship are key drivers of economic transformation, and I am confident that this dialogue will lay a strong foundation for long-term collaboration between Ghana and India, fostering partnerships that promote entrepreneurship, inclusive growth and innovation.”
India and Ghana have maintained diplomatic relations for decades, with cooperation covering education, healthcare, trade, agriculture, information technology and capacity-building programmes. Indian institutions have trained professionals from several African countries under development partnership initiatives, while Indian businesses continue to expand their presence across Africa.
H.E. Prof. Kwasi Obiri-Danso said stronger institutional partnerships could create lasting benefits for young people in both nations.
“Ghana values its longstanding partnership with India, and we see immense potential in expanding our collaboration in the areas of skills, entrepreneurship and youth development. This dialogue reflects our shared commitment to creating opportunities for youth through knowledge exchange, institutional partnerships and collaborative learning. We look forward to translating these discussions into meaningful initiatives that benefit the youth of both Ghana and India.”
Experts believe such partnerships are becoming increasingly important because many countries face similar challenges, including youth unemployment, changing industry requirements and the growing demand for digital and technical skills. International cooperation allows institutions to exchange teaching methods, develop training programmes and encourage innovation among young entrepreneurs.
Dr Sunil Shukla said EDII had already worked with Ghana through several capacity-building programmes involving government officials, trainers and entrepreneurs, and the new agreement would help expand those efforts.
“EDII has had the privilege of working closely with Ghana through various capacity-building initiatives involving government officials, trainers and entrepreneurs over the years. The Ghana-Gujarat Dialogue serves as an important platform to deepen institutional partnerships, facilitate knowledge exchange and explore collaborative initiatives that advance entrepreneurship and skill development. This dialogue will pave the way for impactful initiatives that empower youth and strengthen entrepreneurial ecosystems in both countries.”
Founded in Ahmedabad in 1983, EDII is recognised as a national institute dedicated to entrepreneurship education, research, training and policy support. It has worked with central and state governments, international agencies and educational institutions on programmes designed to encourage enterprise creation and strengthen small business development.
The Ghana Gujarat Dialogue reflected a wider trend of educational and economic partnerships between India and African nations. With industries demanding new skills and governments seeking sustainable employment opportunities for young people, both countries hope the agreement will help build stronger training systems and create more opportunities for future entrepreneurs and skilled professionals.
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