The Precision Quality™ Internship (PQI) Programme, a six-month upskilling and transition-to-work programme for Not in Employment, Education or Training (NEET) graduates, celebrated the graduation of 526 interns at the G.M. Afeti Auditorium, Ho Technical University, under the theme “Smart Skills. Sustainable Communities.” The programme is delivered by Accents & Art Ltd, an industry partner of the Design and Technology Institute (DTI), with support from the Mastercard Foundation. Through intensive technical and vocational skills training, workplace internships, professional development and entrepreneurship support, the programme equips young people with industry-relevant competencies, employment opportunities and pathways to sustainable self-employment.
As part of the ceremony, 37 graduates received startup kits valued at USD 600 each to support their transition into self-employment, while five outstanding entrepreneurs received USD 1,000 in seed capital to scale their businesses and transform innovative ideas into sustainable enterprises.
Delivering the keynote address, Mr. Mohit Sharma, ProjectCoordinator at the Design and Technology Institute (DTI),challenged graduates to become problem-solvers and job-creators rather than job-
seekers, emphasising that technical skills should not only lead to employment but also drive innovation, entrepreneurship and community transformation. He encouraged young people to develop solutions to local challenges while thinking at continental and global scale, embrace frugal innovation by creating greater value with limited resources, learn continuously without fearing failure, and build businesses founded on quality, integrity and customer trust. He further underscored the importance of listening to customers, collaborating rather than competing, formalising enterprises, leveraging technology and committing to lifelong learning as essential ingredients for building resilient businesses and sustainable communities.
Mr. Christian Yao Amexo, Regional Centre Manager of Precision Quality Internship for the Volta Region, highlighted that the programme provides training in Business Skills and Professional Development, Precision Welding and Fabrication, Hospitality and Hotel Management, and Precision Fashion Design and Apparel. He noted that participants were drawn from across the Volta and Oti Regions as part of efforts to decentralise quality skills development, adding that the programme prioritises personal transformation and sustainable livelihoods over funding alone.
Mr. Charles Kwesi Gomenu, Ho Municipal Director of the National Youth Authority, encouraged graduates to embrace entrepreneurship and skills development as viable pathways to employment, highlighting the Authority’s collaboration with institutions that support apprenticeship and enterprise development.
The ceremony also recognised outstanding performance. Madam Hester Mortoo received the Best Exceptional Intern Award, Madam Ramatu Zakari was named the Most Transformed Intern, while Madam Elorm Anani received the Most Exceptional Course Representative Award in Hospitality. Mr. Gideon Tanyegbe and four other graduates were named Overall Best Interns and received excellence awards sponsored by Fidelity Bank. The event also featured innovative learner projects addressing agricultural productivity, water accessibility, climate resilience, food preservation and sustainable livelihoods, demonstrating how technical skills can be applied to solve real-world challenges.
Since its launch in April 2025, the Precision Quality™ Internship (PQI) Programme has made significant national impact across Accra, Ho, Kumasi and Tamale. To date, approximately 4,090 interns have graduated, more than 1,000 have secured employment, 401 startup kits have been awarded, 45 entrepreneurs have received seed capital grants, and five businesses have progressed to receive USD 10,000 Growth Capital to scale their enterprises.
With the Ho graduation, a total of 81 startup kits and 10 seed capital awards have been distributed across the Volta Region, while 57 interns have already secured industry placements. The event also included project exhibitions, intern testimonials, a sustainable fashion runway, certificate presentations, alumni induction and networking opportunities. All graduates were formally inducted into the PQ™Alumni Network, providing continued access to mentorship, professional development and industry connections.
The Precision Quality™ Internship (PQI) Graduation Ceremony reaffirmed the programme’s commitment to equipping young people with practical, industry-relevant skills, fostering entrepreneurship and innovation, and empowering the next generation of changemakers to build resilient businesses and sustainable communities through technical excellence.
