President John Dramani Mahama has unveiled plans to establish three new technical universities and construct 50,000 housing units for teachers, placing education and skills development at the heart of his administration’s economic transformation agenda.
Delivering his 2026 State of the Nation Address (SONA) in Parliament on Friday, February 27, the President said the expansion of technical universities is designed to bridge Ghana’s skills gap and tackle persistent youth unemployment.
He stressed the strategic importance of technical and vocational education in aligning training with industry demand and national development priorities.
“Technical universities play a critical role in closing the skills gap and reducing youth unemployment by delivering high-quality, industry-aligned and practice-oriented training within a broader policy framework that stimulates labour demand,” he stated.
According to him, the proposed institutions will go beyond expanding enrolment capacity to serve as hubs for innovation and industrial collaboration, helping to prepare a workforce capable of competing in a modern, technology-driven economy.
The announcement comes amid growing concern over graduate unemployment and the disconnect between academic qualifications and labour market needs. By strengthening technical education, the government aims to pivot towards more practice-based training that feeds directly into manufacturing, engineering, construction and emerging sectors.
Beyond tertiary education reforms, the President also outlined an ambitious housing programme targeting teachers, particularly those serving in rural and underserved communities.
The initiative seeks to deliver 50,000 housing units through a partnership involving the District Assemblies Common Fund, the Ghana Education Trust Fund and the Ghana National Association of Teachers, among other stakeholders.
Mahama said improving accommodation for teachers is essential to boosting morale, enhancing retention and ensuring a more equitable distribution of educators across the country.
“This partnership demonstrates our collective dedication to enhancing teachers’ living conditions and boosting retention, especially in rural and remote areas,” he noted.
