Ahmedabad: The Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII), Ahmedabad, marked World Youth Skills Day by hosting the Ghana-Gujarat Dialogue on Skill Opportunities, bringing together policymakers, diplomats, industry leaders and academic experts to explore collaborative opportunities in skill development, entrepreneurship and workforce readiness.
The event was graced by Shri Kunvarjibhai Bavaliya, Hon’ble Minister for Labour, Skill Development and Employment, Government of Gujarat, as the Chief Guest. Guests of Honour included Hon. Kwasi Agyemang Gyan-Tutu, Hon’ble Minister for Investment & Tourism, Republic of Ghana; H.E. Prof. Kwasi Obiri-Danso, High Commissioner of the Republic of Ghana to India; and Dr. Sunil Shukla, Director General, EDII. Mr. Nikhil Methiya, CEO, Dronelab, was also present.
Organised in collaboration with Savishkar, the dialogue served as a strategic platform for discussions on strengthening international cooperation in skill development, entrepreneurship promotion and employment generation. The event brought together representatives from government, academia, industry and the development sector to deliberate on emerging workforce requirements and opportunities for cross-border collaboration.
A key highlight of the programme was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between EDII and the Government of Ghana to jointly undertake capacity-building and skill development programmes for the youth of India and Ghana. The partnership is expected to facilitate knowledge exchange, institutional collaboration and the implementation of initiatives that promote entrepreneurship-led economic development.
Addressing the gathering, Shri Kunvarjibhai Bavaliya said, “The Government of Gujarat is consistently working to build a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem by integrating skill development, employment generation and strong industry collaboration, while also focusing on technology-driven training and outcome-oriented initiatives. As economies become increasingly interconnected, international collaborations provide valuable opportunities to exchange knowledge, share best practices and develop innovative approaches to address emerging challenges. This dialogue will strengthen the partnership between Gujarat and Ghana while opening new avenues for collaboration in skill development, entrepreneurship and inclusive economic growth. Such initiatives will significantly contribute towards realizing the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat 2047.”
Hon. Kwasi Agyemang Gyan-Tutu, Hon’ble Minister for Investment & Tourism, Republic of Ghana, said, “It is encouraging to witness Ghana and Gujarat coming together to strengthen cooperation in areas of mutual interest. Skill development and entrepreneurship are fundamental drivers of sustainable economic transformation. I am confident this dialogue will establish a strong foundation for long-term collaboration between Ghana and India, fostering innovation, entrepreneurship and inclusive growth.”
Speaking on the occasion, H.E. Prof. Kwasi Obiri-Danso, High Commissioner of the Republic of Ghana to India, stated, “Ghana highly values its longstanding partnership with India and sees immense potential for expanding cooperation in skill development, entrepreneurship and youth empowerment. This dialogue reflects our shared commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for young people through knowledge exchange, institutional partnerships and collaborative learning. We look forward to translating these discussions into impactful initiatives benefiting the youth of both nations.”
Dr. Sunil Shukla, Director General, EDII, highlighted the institute’s longstanding engagement with Ghana and said, “EDII has had the privilege of working closely with Ghana through several capacity-building initiatives involving government officials, trainers and entrepreneurs over the years. The Ghana-Gujarat Dialogue provides an important platform to deepen institutional partnerships, facilitate knowledge exchange and develop collaborative initiatives that advance entrepreneurship and skill development. We are confident that this partnership will pave the way for impactful programmes that empower youth and strengthen entrepreneurial ecosystems in both countries.”
The Ghana-Gujarat Dialogue reaffirmed EDII’s commitment to fostering global partnerships that strengthen entrepreneurial ecosystems and equip young people with future-ready skills. The newly signed MoU is expected to further reinforce India-Ghana cooperation by creating sustainable pathways for capacity building, innovation and youth-led economic development.