NDPC Collaborates with ASO To Explore Workforce Intelligence and Evidence-Based Development Planning
The Director-General of the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), Dr Audrey Smock-Amoah, has received a delegation from the Africa Skills Observatory (ASO) to explore potential collaboration in workforce intelligence, skills forecasting, and evidence-based development planning.
Speaking during the meeting last Friday in Accra, the Director General proposed collaboration and underscored the importance of partnerships in strengthening development planning.
She stated the need to anticipate future workforce requirements and align development strategies with emerging skills and employment needs.
Presenting ASO’s work, Mr Ebenezer Ato Simpson explained that Africa’s skills challenge extends beyond training to the ability to generate and use intelligence on emerging labour market trends.
He said ASO brings together data from government, employers, training institutions and other sources to generate insights on skills demand, employment trends, wages and emerging skills.
He noted that these insights could support government decision-making, curriculum development and workforce planning.
Mr Simpson outlined ASO’s interest in supporting the development of workforce dashboards, skills alignment diagnostics, sector workforce outcomes and policy briefs.
He said that the organisation’s approach is intended to provide continuous intelligence rather than periodic snapshots of the labour market.
Further discussions focused on the relevance of workforce intelligence to Ghana’s medium-term development planning and human capital development, as well as the need to address data gaps in forecasting skills demand and employment outcomes.
Freda Marfo, ISD
