By Alex Ababio
On a dusty street inside Suame Magazine in Kumasi, the sound of metal hitting metal rings loudly. Sparks fly as young boys in oily clothes bend over engines. There are no blackboards here. No chalk. But this is where many Ghanaian youth are learning to build their future—not in a classroom, but in a garage.
Suame Magazine is one of the largest industrial clusters in West Africa. It is home to over 200,000 artisans, technicians, welders, and spare parts dealers. But for thousands of young people, it is more than a marketplace—it is a training ground.
Ghana’s ‘Informal University’
According to the Ghana Statistical Service, about 1.7 million young people aged 15–35 are unemployed. Many of them cannot afford formal education or vocational training. For these youth, Suame Magazine is an alternative school.
Here, more than 12,000 apprentices are learning skills in auto mechanics, spraying, welding, and fabrication. There are no exams, no degrees, and no student loans. Yet, this informal system helps reduce youth unemployment and prepares many for self-employment.
“I came here after JHS because my parents couldn’t afford SHS,” says 17-year-old Kwabena Owusu, an apprentice mechanic. “Now I can fix engines and diagnose faults. In two more years, I’ll graduate and open my own shop.”
Learning Without Structure
The training system at Suame Magazine follows a traditional apprenticeship model. A master artisan trains an apprentice for three to five years. The apprentice pays a small fee—between GH¢500 and GH¢1,500—to be accepted. Some work without pay for years until they graduate.
However, there is no formal curriculum or supervision by any educational authority. The Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (COTVET) admits that most of these training centres are unregulated.
“There is a big gap,” says Mr. Francis Adomako, a regional COTVET officer. “Many of these youths learn important skills, but without proper certification or safety standards, they face limits in job mobility.”
Apprentices often work in dangerous conditions—no gloves, no goggles, no insurance. Many suffer cuts, burns, or even lose fingers. According to a 2021 report by the National Board for Small Scale Industries, nearly 35% of youth apprentices in industrial areas like Suame have experienced a serious workplace injury.
Women Breaking Into the Garage Space
Traditionally, Suame Magazine has been male-dominated. But that is slowly changing. A growing number of young women are joining as electricians, welders, and auto sprayers.
“I was scared at first, but now I’m proud,” says 22-year-old Esther Mensah, who is in her third year of apprenticeship in auto-spraying. “People say women should stay in salons, but I love machines. I want to show girls we can do this too.”
Esther’s master says she is one of his best apprentices. Still, female apprentices often face harassment and discrimination. There are no formal support systems for women in trade training.
Big Dreams, Little Support
Despite the importance of Suame Magazine in providing practical training, many apprentices complain about the lack of government support. Some garages operate in wooden structures with no electricity or water.
In 2023, the government launched the YouStart initiative to help youth with business training and loans. But artisans in Suame say they have received little support.
“We hear big announcements on TV, but no real help comes here,” says Mr. Nana Amponsah, a master welder with over 25 years of experience. “These youth are the future, but nobody is investing in them.”
Experts believe that linking informal apprenticeship to formal technical education could improve skills and create more jobs. A World Bank study in 2022 found that informal apprenticeship systems in Ghana train more people than formal TVET schools, yet receive less than 10% of government skills funding.
From Tools to Transformation
Every day, as the sun sets over Suame Magazine, young hands wipe grease from their faces. They close toolboxes and sweep the floor. Their backs ache, but their eyes shine with hope.
These apprentices are not just fixing cars—they are fixing their futures. With better safety, recognition, and access to capital, their training could become the backbone of Ghana’s industrial future.
“We learn by doing,” says Kwabena with a smile. “No classroom, no computer. But we are building our dreams—one bolt at a time.”