The Ministry of Education has expressed its readiness to support Ghana’s proposed hosting of the Industrial States in Africa (ISWA) initiative, a continental platform aimed at advancing industrialisation, local manufacturing, skills development and technology transfer across Africa.
The commitment was made during a meeting between the Minister of Education and a delegation that engaged the Ministry on plans to integrate ISWA into the upcoming African Festival of Arts, Creativity and Culture (AFESTA), scheduled to take place from December 9 to 11, 2026.
Under the proposal, ISWA activities are expected to be held on December 10 as part of the broader AFESTA programme, creating a platform to promote discussions on industrial growth, innovation and economic transformation on the continent.
The Ministry noted that the initiative aligns with Ghana’s efforts to strengthen technical and vocational education, youth empowerment and workforce development, while supporting broader national and continental industrialisation goals.
Officials indicated that hosting the initiative would provide an opportunity for Ghana to showcase its commitment to industrial growth and position itself as a hub for innovation, manufacturing and skills development in Africa.
The proposed event is also expected to facilitate partnerships among governments, industry leaders, educational institutions and development stakeholders, fostering collaboration in technology transfer, capacity building and industrial innovation.
Stakeholders believe the integration of ISWA into AFESTA will create synergies between culture, creativity and industrial development, highlighting the role of innovation and human capital in driving Africa’s economic transformation.
If approved, Ghana’s hosting of ISWA is expected to strengthen the country’s contribution to Africa’s industrial development agenda and open new avenues for investment, knowledge exchange and skills transfer across the continent.