DTI, Mastercard Foundation roll out Precision Quality training for artisans               

By Elizabeth PUNSU, Kumasi

The Design and Technology Institute (DTI), in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, has rolled out a Precision Quality (PQ) training initiative aimed at redefining the role of Ghana’s informal sector in national development.

The programme seeks to equip artisans with technical skills, professional discipline and an entrepreneurial mindset to meet international standards and compete in the global marketplace.

Speaking at a graduation ceremony for 1,500 MasterCraft artisans in the Ashanti Region after a three-day training on PQ, Founder and President-DTI Constance Swaniker stressed the importance of quality and professionalism in driving economic transformation.

“Excellence is not an act but a habit. Quality is not accidental but the result of intentional, consistent effort,” she said.

The informal sector, which employs millions in trades such as fashion design, beauty services and machine fabrication, has long faced challenges including inconsistent standards, low productivity and limited integration into the formal economy.

Ms. Swaniker said the PQ model was conceived to address these gaps, with the programme focusing not only on technical skills but also instilling integrity, reliability and innovation in artisans. With Mastercard Foundation’s support, the training is producing a new generation of artisans expected to mentor apprentices, embrace technology and strengthen customer trust through accountability and quality service delivery.

DTI maintains that the initiative’s success is tied to Ghana’s industrialisation agenda. By formalising their businesses through registration, compliance with standards, access to finance and continuous upskilling, artisans can contribute significantly to GDP growth, job creation and national competitiveness.

Graduates join a growing network of MasterCraft Persons expected to act as change-agents in their communities, applying PQ in their daily work. DTI acknowledged the support of stakeholders, including the Registrar-General’s Department and Fidelity Bank, in facilitating artisans’ transition into the formal economy.

Certificates awarded at the ceremony were described as not merely recognition of achievement, but a commitment to uphold quality and contribute in socio-economic development.

“As you leave here today, remember that every product you craft, every service you deliver, is a reflection of your personal brand and the Ghanaian brand. Let precision be your habit, quality your signature and integrity your legacy,” Ms. Swaniker told participants.

DTI’s Programmes Coordinator, Mohit Sharma, highlighted women’s remarkable participation in the training.

“We were expecting 60 to 70 percent women, but participation reached 90 percent. That indicates how forthcoming women are in understanding the need for quality, formalisation and business growth,” he said.

He added that standardisation, customer-centred services and business expansion remain crucial in today’s competitive market. “You no longer compete only locally but also globally. When you formalise, you gain access to finance, industry networks and opportunities for expansion and diversification.”

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