According to Yaw Osafo Maafo, the Senior Presidential Advisor to President Akufo-Addo in Ghana, the high rate of graduate unemployment in the country is becoming a national security threat. Maafo attributes this issue to the education system, which he believes has shifted from hands-on skills training to a focus on theory-based learning.
During his tenure as Minister of Education, Maafo states that there were only a few universities, both public and private. However, the number has significantly increased, with Ghana now having 95 universities. Despite this growth, Maafo argues that very few graduates possess practical skills, which is concerning for the future.
Maafo emphasizes the need for serious reflection on the education system in order to address this problem. Without a shift towards more hands-on training, he fears that the situation will continue to worsen, leading to potential social and economic instability in the country.
In addition to the concerns about the lack of hands-on skills training, the Senior Presidential Advisor also highlighted his discomfort with the fact that universities in Ghana predominantly offer humanities courses rather than technical programs. He suggests that this further exacerbates the issue of graduate unemployment, as there is a mismatch between the skills being taught and the needs of the job market.
By focusing more on technical programs and providing practical training, Maafo believes that universities can better equip students with the skills required for employment. This shift in focus would not only contribute to reducing graduate unemployment but also help to meet the demands of various industries in Ghana.
Maafo’s comments reveal his belief that a balanced education system, incorporating both theoretical and practical learning, is essential for addressing the challenges of graduate unemployment and ensuring the overall development and security of the nation.
“I am very uncomfortable about what I am seeing from tertiary education system and the outcome on the unemployment arising out of the educational system .You can’t go from five to about 100 universities in about 15 years and none of the universities is technical “
“We’ve converted all our Polytechnics into universities the reasons I don’t understand.We had Polytechnics which were doing far more humanity subjects than even technical subjects and as Minister for Education I invited all the Polytechnics and wanted to question why they were doing certain courses , when I went through the exercise with them I withdrew my complain because this was what was happening , all those who have done very well in maths and science want to do Engineering and other Science and Medicine so at the end of the A level of O level you hardly have any very good maths or science students left , they’ve all gone to other places so if you want people with maths background you won’t get “.
He therefore lauded initiative by Education Minister Dr.Yaw Osei Adutwum to introduce students with no science background to pre-enginering programs .
Yaw Osafo Maafo suggested that stakeholders particularly churches and government need to meet over the situation to find solutions through a paradigm shift of the education system.
” the government and the churches need to sit down on the drawing board and think again we can’t continue like this, because unemployment is a serious problem and it is becoming a security problem we need to resolve it”.
The former Finance, and Education Minister Yaw Osafo Maafo said this Saturday August 19, 2023 during the 23 General Meeting of Presbyterian church of Ghana at Kwahu Abetifi.
He said Presbyterian Church of Ghana having established about 2,500 basic schools, 36 senior high schools and two universities has the locus standi to sit with government address challenges making Ghana Education system counter productive.
“We need the church and the government because of your experience both in and out of Ghana to sit with government to look at education the Presbyterians are good at this because you have been the middle of good education systems in this country so when we are in difficulty in our education and we need to fall on one Christian unit it is going to be the Presbyterian Church, you have the know how you have the experience we need to sit and think again we can’t continue like this otherwise we will create a security problem for ourselves.”
Meanwhile, the projected unemployment rate of 5.00 percent by the end of 2023 indicates a concerning level of joblessness.
While the long-term projections suggest a gradual decrease in the unemployment rate to 4.50 percent by 2025, it is important to note that these figures are based on econometric models and analysts’ expectations. Actual outcomes may vary, depending on various socio-economic factors and government initiatives to address unemployment.
Considering the concerns raised by the Senior Presidential Advisor regarding the focus on humanities courses in universities, it becomes crucial for policymakers and educational institutions to align their programs with the needs of the job market. By emphasizing technical programs and practical skills training, it may be possible to bridge the gap between the skills possessed by graduates and the demands of industries in Ghana.
Efforts to enhance job creation, entrepreneurship, and vocational training can also contribute to reducing the unemployment rate and fostering economic growth in the country. It is essential for stakeholders to collaborate and develop effective strategies to tackle unemployment, ensuring a prosperous future for the Ghanaian workforce.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana
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