The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MTN Ghana, Stephen Blewett, has stressed the critical role of technical and vocational training in Ghana’s economic development, stating that the country’s future depends more on practical skills than academic degrees.
Speaking at the Opportunities Industrialisation Centre (OIC) in Accra as part of MTN’s 21 Days of Y’ello Care initiative, he emphasised that while academic qualifications have become widespread, it is skilled tradespeople — builders, electricians, fashion designers, and artisans — who are indispensable to building a resilient economy.
“Technical vocation — I will say this categorically — is where the future lies. The world doesn’t need more people like me as CEOs. It needs people who can do things with their hands,” he said.
He praised the OIC for its dedication to empowering young Ghanaians with marketable skills, stressing that such institutions are “super important for Ghana as a country, as an economy, and in developing a strong foundation.”
The visit formed part of the telecom giant’s annual volunteerism campaign, 21 Days of Y’ello Care, which this year focuses on “Connecting at the Root: Connecting Communities Through the Use of Digital Tools.”
MTN staff and executives have embarked on community outreach projects across all 16 regions, bridging digital and skills gaps to empower local communities.
Stephen Blewett, shared a personal anecdote about his own father being a manual worker and encouraged young people to take pride in their technical skills, calling them “an honour” and a powerful foundation for success in life and business.
“Sometimes there’s a stigma around technical work. But I look up to people with these skills. I wish I could do what you do. That takes a level of expertise I don’t have,” he added.
He also stressed the intersection of digital technology with technical trades, noting the importance of using tech tools to modernise vocational work.
As an example, he proposed the development of a mobile app that would allow skilled tradespeople to market their services, manage bookings, and gain credibility through customer reviews.
“Imagine an app that helps you find trusted electricians or tailors in your area. That’s how we bridge technology with hands-on skills,” he stated.
Stephen Blewett and his team were given a tour of the OIC facility, where they interacted with students and instructors demonstrating practical skills in fashion design, electricals, welding, and more.
The visit forms part of MTN Ghana’s broader commitment to sustainability, education, and digital inclusion.
The company’s Y’ello Care campaign will continue over the next two weeks, with staff engaging in skills training, ICT education, and volunteer-driven projects aimed at bridging Ghana’s digital divide.
The Principal of Opportunity Industrialisation Technical Institute, Mawuli Sogbey, revealed that MTN Ghana is supporting a project that is already making a practical impact, which is the production of 283 school uniforms for children in deprived basic schools, in collaboration with the school’s fashion department.
“With their 21 Days of Y’ello Care programme, MTN has given us this important project. It’s not just about sewing uniforms — it’s about using this opportunity to expose our departments and open the door for further collaboration,” he added.
The principal used the occasion to encourage parents to reconsider outdated views that technical education is a fallback option.
“That erroneous impression that TVET is only for the less academic is outdated. Where the world is heading, it’s about skills,” he stressed.
He indicated that technical education provides both technical and academic knowledge, giving young people double advantages.
“Even if they don’t progress academically, they can still start their own businesses or gain wage employment,” he added.
