The Member of Parlia­ment (MP) for the Krowor Constituency, Mrs Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, has reiterated the need for the government and leaders to invest in technical educa­tion in order tackle unemployment among Ghanaian youth.

According to her, unemployment had become a threat to national se­curity and efforts must be made to address the canker, which included investing massively in providing technical skills for the youth.

The MP was speaking at the fifth graduation ceremony for Forklift and Mobile Crane Operators at the Regional Maritime University (RMU) in Accra on Wednesday on the theme, ‘Socio-Economic Impact of Global Migration of Skilled Labour.’

The eight-week programme, organised in partnership with the National Association for Heavy-duty Equipment Operators Ghana (NAHEOG), saw 60 stu­dents graduating.

The graduating class, including five females, received Professional Training Certificate of Compe­tence which qualified them to operate across the globe.

Mrs Lartey commended the institutions for the training which would provide direct jobs for the graduates, and tackle the unem­ployment situation in the country while bridging the gap as far as skilled labour for industry is con­cerned.

“This is what Ghana needs at this crucial point and leaders must invest in providing employable skills for the youth,” she stated.

She said it was important to em­phasise on “brain gain” instead of “brain drain,” where skills acquired would be channelled into enhanc­ing the economy of the country.

The Ag. Vice Chancellor of the RMU, Dr Jethro W. Brooks Jr., re­vealed that it was crucial to ensure that graduates were not only com­petitive globally but also capable of contributing meaningfully to the development of the sub-region.

Hence, training as forklift and mobile crane operators, he men­tioned, equipped the graduates with skills, essential for various sec­tors from construction to logistics, both within and abroad.

“Across the globe, countries are seeking professionals to drive in­frastructure development and eco­nomic growth. Your expertise in operating complex machinery like forklifts and mobile cranes makes you an asset in these industries,” he mentioned.

The RMU, he said, was com­mitted to equipping trainees with the skills needed to excel in any environment.

“We understand the importance of providing world-class training that prepares you for the demands of a globalised economy. We also recognise the need to continually adapt to the evolving needs of industries, both locally and globally. This is why we are continuously investing in the latest technologies and partnerships to ensure that your training remains relevant and cutting-edge,” he outlined.

He, therefore, appealed to in­dustry leaders and governments to ensure that local economies benefit from the skilled labour within the continent.

He then urged graduates to carry along values of integrity, dedica­tion and excellence and be proud ambassadors of the programme and the RMU.

The President of NAHEOG, Mr Dominic Eyiah, also commended the graduates for the dedication and expertise which were valuable for socio-economic development while urging them to embrace opportunities ahead with pride and excellence.