In a robust push to bridge Ghana’s growing green skills deficit, the Skills Bridge Ghana Foundation LBG (SBGF)—formerly known as the STEM Parrot Foundation—has officially launched a high-impact solar energy technology training program for 50 industry professionals.
Held at the Applied Technology Institute in East Legon, the landmark event drew key stakeholders, technical experts, and industry leaders to address a critical national issue: the surging demand for reliable power clashing with a severe shortage of certified local technicians.
Delivering the keynote address at the opening ceremony, the Founder and Executive Director of SBGF—who also serves as the Sunyani Benkum Adontenhene and a member of the Sunyani Traditional Council—Charles Agyemang Prempeh, underscored the urgency of transforming Ghana’s energy workforce. He highlighted that while local power demand expands by roughly 10% annually, a profound technical deficit persists in solar energy engineering, system maintenance, and advanced photovoltaic integration.
“While advanced economies in Europe and North America aggressively finance comprehensive green workforce transitions to future-proof their labor markets, developing nations risk importing expensive physical hardware without the local human capital to maintain it,” Mr. Prempeh stated. Drawing on reports from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the International Labour Organization (ILO), he stressed that funding physical infrastructure without investing in people is a short-sighted endeavor.
Operating from its strategic headquarters at the Ghana TVET Service headquarters building, SBGF is steered by a seasoned team of board members and technical experts drawn directly from academia and industry. The foundation’s workforce mapping initiatives and policy frameworks have already earned formal recognition and backing from the Office of the President of Ghana (Reference: SCR/DA222/222/01/B).
As part of its broader national agenda, SBGF is actively working with the government to support the flagship 24-Hour Economy policy through targeted capacity-building programs. Furthermore, the foundation is collaborating closely with the Ministry of Youth Empowerment and Development and the National Youth Authority (NYA) to train youth in solar energy and waste management.
These strategic alignments also advance shared European Union-Ghana green partnership agendas, positioning SBGF as a vital institutional bridge connecting academic training centers with industry demands and prospective employers.
The executive director spotlighted the organization’s robust collaborative network, acknowledging key institutional partnerships with Accra Technical University and Germany’s RELEVATE gUG. Special tribute was paid to the Principal of the Applied Technology Institute, Ing. Emmanuel Kotey Ashie—a seasoned TVET expert—whose invaluable contributions and steadfast support made the training program possible.
“Partnering with your esteemed institution is both a privilege and a powerful testament to what we can achieve together,” Mr. Prempeh noted, adding that the specialized solar training at the Institute will directly equip local technicians to meet national standards, reduce technical failures, and accelerate the green transition. Gratitude was also extended to international supporters Leyden Education UK for their invaluable logistical backing.
Addressing the engineers and technicians in attendance, Mr. Prempeh urged sector professionals to embrace rapid technological shifts, upskill their expertise, and secure formal certifications to stay ahead of the curve.
“To industry stakeholders and government leaders: the time to invest heavily in solar training is now. Solar technology is no longer an alternative—it is the core driver of our emerging energy economy,” he concluded, pledging that SBGF will continue to scale beyond its limits to secure Ghana’s sustainable future.
