'TVET serves a productive response to challenges'

Professor Abdoulaye Waga was speaking on behalf Alieu Oumar Touray, president of the ECOWAS Commission at the start of a three-day forum designed for TVET stakeholders on the draft action plan for the implementation of the ECOWAS TVET strategy for skills improvement and employability (ETSSIE).

The forum, organized by the ECOWAS Commission in partnership with TVET experts from member states such as UNESCO, FOSDA and OXFAM among others was held at the Kairaba Beach Hotel. It was also meant to deliberate and validate the draft Action Plan for the implementation of the ECOWAS TVET Strategy for Skills Improvement and Employability (ETSSIE).

It also aims to outline specific challenges related to COVID-19 pandemic and measures for adjusting and adapting the action plans.

At the forum, Professor Waga reminded that the initiative is an avenue for promoting the development of nations, social cohesion, enhancing security, poverty reduction and regional integration.

" It also seeks to monitor and evaluate mechanisms to ensure effective and sustainable implementation of the action plan in the post-pandemic context as clearly defined and integrated into the draft Action Plan and collaboration between ECOWAS member states and partners is strengthened."

Director Maga revealed that they are aware of the fact that unemployment has become a major factor in fuelling social crisis and conflict, resilience and rebellion, terrorism and crime, and general political instability in the region, where many sectors vital to development are experiencing skills shortages, while at the same time unemployment rates keep increasing.

To that end, he maintained that the ECOWAS Commission over the years conducted series of activities on its TVET program, which he added, resulted in the development of the ECOWAS Skills Improvement and Employability (ETSSIE).

He indicated that their goal is to validate the draft Action Plan by specifically adding value to the content, thereby highlighting related challenges and proposing adaptive solutions.

The outcomes of their discussions, he added, will chart the course for ECOWAS' progress to ensure that their collective aspirations are translated into actionable plans that foster development, inclusivity, and sustainability.