The Design and Technology Institute (DTI), in collaboration with the Mastercard Foundation, officially inaugurated the DTI Precision Quality Centre of Excellence and Innovation Hub at Ho Technical University (HTU) on Tuesday, 8 July 2025.
The partnership aimed to enhance Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in Ghana by equipping students, interns, and informal sector actors with industry-relevant skills and entrepreneurial support to thrive in a competitive job market.
The new centre focuses on practical skills development through the innovative Precision Quality curriculum. It also fosters innovation and entrepreneurship by nurturing ideas, supporting prototyping, and connecting learners with mentorship and funding opportunities.
Ms. Constance Elizabeth Swaniker, founder and president of DTI, praised HTU’s commitment to the PQ partnership. She highlighted the important role of technical universities in preparing Ghanaian youth for global jobs and encouraged learners to develop the right mindset and attitude to reach their full potential.
She noted that the centre will also provide data for workforce planning and labour market strategies, support research that influences policy, and help create jobs. These efforts aim to build a comprehensive training system that prepares students and skilled workers for employment and business success.
Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ben Q. Honyenuga, highlighted the shared vision between HTU and DTI to empower students with a blend of soft skills and practical training. He recounted that the first phase of the collaboration, which introduced the PQ curriculum at HTU, enabling the University to lead upskilling efforts for master craftspeople in the Volta Region.
He expressed enthusiasm for the second phase, which includes the commissioning of a fully equipped PQ Innovation Hub and the donation of essential training equipment, and commended DTI and its partners for the initiative. He reaffirmed HTU’s dedication to leading the precision quality transformation across the Volta Region and beyond, leveraging its strong industry partnerships and reputation for practical innovation.
Professor Christopher Mensah, Pro Vice-Chancellor, stressed that in today’s global economy, precision, quality, and standards are indispensable. He called for a national shift from low-value, informal production to high-value, export-ready goods and services.
Registrar, Dr. Christopher Mensah, expressed appreciation for DTI’s support in helping students develop practical skills and grow their businesses. He emphasised that empowering students to create jobs and employ others contributes to reducing poverty and unemployment, aligning with the university’s broader vision of national development.
The event also included the handover of a renovated Nkulenu restaurant, a retooled fashion workshop, and upgraded classrooms at the Management Science Department to facilitate training. The ceremony concluded with the unveiling of the HTU/DTI plaque, ribbon-cutting, and a tour of the new Innovation Hub, located on the first floor of the Auditorium wing.
