1. Background

Ghana’s education policies are framed by the Education Strategic Plan 2018-2030.

Ghana has a valuable experience in developing and implementing the National TVET Qualifications Framework (NTVETQF). The learning outcomes approach is well rooted in the TVET system. The NTVETQF is focused on TVET qualifications and is coordinated by the Commission for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (CTVET).

The government and stakeholders are determined to enhance the policies and instruments providing better integration, linkages, and mobility between all sub-systems of education and training, ensuring quality and flexibility of lifelong upskilling and reskilling of the population, and improving the comparability with qualifications of other countries of strategic interest for Ghana.

To this end the country decided to develop and operationalise a National Qualifications Framework of comprehensive scope (all levels and sub-sectors of education and training), and the policies of fundamental importance for progression, mobility, and skills visibility: Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Accumulation and Transfer System (CATS).

This programme of consultation and planning workshops (26/February to 01/March 2024, in Accra) is co-organised with the Project “Supporting Implementation of the African Continental Qualifications Framework” (ACQF-II), upon GTEC´s request, and in collaboration with the pertinent institutions and stakeholders. ACQF-II is a project of the African Union-European Union partnership, implemented by the European Training Foundation, in close cooperation with countries, regions and the African Union Commission.

2. Participants

The range of institutions and stakeholders participating in the Consultation and Planning workshops reflect the inclusive and wide scope of the new NQF, notably:

• Ghana Tertiary Education Commission
• Ministry of Education
• Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations
• Commission for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (C-TVET)
• Ghana Education Service
• West African Examinations Council
• National Council for Curriculum and Assessment
• National Union of Ghana Students
• Conference of Principals of Colleges of Education (PRINCOF)
• Vice Chancellors Ghana
• Vice Chancellor of Technical Universities of Ghana (VCTU-G)
• Council of Independent Universities (CIU)
• Association of Ghana Industries (AGI)
• Association of Professional Bodies
• Attorney General’s Department

3. Objectives of the Consultation and Planning Workshops

The Workshops aim at defining the vision, main features and linkages of the three policies: the comprehensive NQF, RPL and CATS. The working methods are based on a series of participative brainstorming and development sessions, guided by the team of ACQF-II experts.

Outputs:

1. Discussed and defined the key dimensions of the concept and architecture of the new comprehensive NQF: vision, main goals, scope, principles, levels, systemic linkages with all sub-sectors of education and training for lifelong learning.
   • Outputs: a) agreed annotated outline of the NQF document; b) agreed timeline and modalities of work of the consultation process.
2. Discussed and defined the main objectives, principles, governance and scope and outline of the RPL policy document.
   • Outputs: a) agreed the annotated outline of the RPL policy document; b) agreed the roadmap and key milestones of the process.
3. Discussed and defined the key objectives, scope, application modalities and governance of the National Ghana CAT System and the outline of its policy document.
   • Output: a) agreed annotated outline of the CATS document; b) agreed the roadmap and key milestones of the process.
4. Shared views and common concepts in the Ghana NQF Working Group.
   • Outputs: shared views on governance of the comprehensive NQF; joint plan roadmap for 2024;