The Design and Technology Institute (DTI) has commenced construction of its Berekuso Multi-Skills Campus in Ghana’s Eastern Region, marking a significant development in technical education with the inclusion of advanced non-destructive testing (NDT) training infrastructure.
The $28 million project, spread across 11 acres, will be executed in four phases and is expected to play a key role in addressing industry-aligned skills development. The first phase, partially funded by a €3 million grant from African Union Development Agency–NEPAD, is scheduled for completion within 24 months, with the first intake of students anticipated in the 2028/2029 academic year.
Once fully operational, the campus will have the capacity to train up to 3,500 learners annually. It is designed as a pan-African centre focused on delivering competency-based, industry-driven education across multiple disciplines, including welding and fabrication, alongside newly introduced programmes such as industrial plumbing, industrial electricals, cleaning sciences, and agricultural mechanisation.
A key feature of the first development phase is the establishment of advanced NDT laboratories, alongside a 160-booth welding and fabrication workshop and academic facilities designed for hands-on training. The integration of NDT training reflects increasing demand for inspection and quality assurance skills across industrial sectors, where safety, compliance, and structural integrity remain critical.
Speaking at the sod-cutting ceremony, Constance Swaniker highlighted the institution’s industry-driven approach.
“DTI is not a conventional school, and I am sure our learners will tell you we are an advanced industry-led institution that provides high-quality, hands-on, competency-based education, empowering youth with the practical skills employers actually need, reducing unemployment and promoting self-employment,” she stressed.
The initiative is supported by strong industry collaboration, with DTI working alongside over 160 partners to facilitate training, internships, and employment pathways. The campus will also include anchor factory spaces intended for future development into an industrial park, further linking education with real-world production environments.
George Opare Addo emphasised the strategic importance of investing in skills development.
“Every year, a talented young person lost is a loss to households, enterprises, and the national economy,” he said.
The project has also received backing from the private sector, with Fidelity Bank Ghana committing support through financial literacy programmes and entrepreneurship development initiatives.
The DTI Berekuso Multi-Skills Campus represents a focused effort to align technical education with industry requirements, with NDT training positioned as a key component in preparing a skilled workforce capable of supporting inspection, quality assurance, and industrial safety needs across Ghana and the broader African region.
