The Deputy Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Mr. Sampson Ahi, has lauded the launch of the ProfArts Mobile Application, describing it as a timely intervention to boost employment and restore public confidence in Ghana’s artisan workforce.

He said this at the official launch of the app on Wednesday in Accra.

He noted that the mobile platform aligns with the Ministry’s Apprenticeship to Entrepreneurship Programme, which seeks to equip unemployed youth with technical and business skills in order to drive innovation and economic growth.

He commended the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and its partners for developing the application and acknowledged their ongoing support to the Ministry’s industrialisation agenda.

He called the ProfArts app a “game changer,” aimed at connecting trained, certified artisans with customers in need of quality and reliable services.

“Most Ghanaians have had unsatisfactory experiences with artisans, ranging from poor workmanship and wastefulness to unresponsiveness after payment. This has eroded public trust. But with this app, professional artisans will be distinguished from unprofessional ones, and citizens can confidently access the services they need,” he said.

Addressing the artisans, Mr. Ahi emphasised the importance of professionalism and attitude, warning that no amount of certification can compensate for poor behaviour.

“Your attitude will determine your success. If clients lose confidence due to bad conduct, it will defeat the purpose of this entire initiative,” he advised.

He urged the Ghana Institution of Engineering to consider user reviews during license renewals and to enforce standards of precision and professionalism in their certification process.

The Deputy Minister encouraged Ghanaians to patronize the platform, assuring them of quality service and value for money. He further appealed to GIZ to extend the app’s coverage to artisans in other sectors beyond construction.

“I see this as more than just an app; it is a tool for transforming livelihoods and strengthening trust in Ghana’s artisan economy,” he concluded.

The Minister for Youth Development and Employment, Mr George Opare Addo, expressed strong support for the initiative, describing the ProfArts app as a transformational tool to help transition Ghana’s workforce from the informal to the formal sector.

He said the platform complements government efforts to equip young people with relevant skills, promote decent jobs, and professionalize key sectors such as construction, in line with Ghana’s broader digitalization and employment agenda.

On her part, Ms. Chantel Kristin Lahmer, a representative from the German Embassy, described the ProfArts Mobile App as a vital step toward inclusive economic growth and innovation.

She noted that the initiative aligns with the German Development Cooperation’s priorities in trade, training, and infrastructure, and praised the strong partnership among institutions like the Ghana Institution of Engineering and the Artisans Association of Ghana.

She acknowledged the rapid growth of Ghana’s construction industry but highlighted ongoing challenges such as limited technical and soft skills.

Ms. Lahmer said the project supports digitalization and job creation, in line with Germany’s “Invest for Jobs” programme, which has trained over 1,800 talents in Ghana.

She commended all partners for their efforts and expressed confidence in the app’s potential to improve employment outcomes and promote professionalism among artisans.

Irene Wirekoaa Osei, ISD