‘Wrong Course Study Breeds Unemploymemnt’

Vice President John Mahama

VICE PRESIDENT John Mahama has blamed the high rate of graduate unemployment in the country on the wrong educational programs selected by students.

He said more often than not, most students take courses that are irrelevant to current demands on the job market.

His observation follows recent concerns raised about the poor standard of Ghanaian education and increasing rate of graduate unemployment in the country.

The Vice President made the remarks in a speech read on his behalf at the 50 th anniversary celebration of Hohoe E.P. Senior High School (HEPSS).

The occasion which brought together alumni of the school across the country and other dignitaries was under the theme; 'Quality Education, a Shared Responsibility.'

To remedy the graduate unemployment problem, Mr. Mahama directed the Ghana Education Service (GES) to build solid counseling departments especially in second cycle institutions to help prepare students prior to tertiary education.

He also appealed to parents to play an active role in seeking expert advice with regards to the courses their wards pursue saying a participatory approach to education at all levels will produce better results for everyone involved.

These include daily routine planning, policy formulation, analysis, decision making, implementation, monitoring and evaluation by all stakeholders in all initiatives within the education sector, he added.

'Proper participation enforces understanding, commitment, creativity, confidence and accurate implementation of plans, programs and skills. I am optimistic that this strategy will   improve the country's educational standards and resolve the high level of graduate unemployment by producing creative, entrepreneurial and confident graduates.'

Mr. Mahama assured Ghanaians of the NDC government's commitment to the expansion and retargeting of the school feeding programme in order to improve nutritional status and enrolment and expand markets for local food products.

Volta Regional Minister, Joseph Amenowode on his part appealed to educational institutions to exercise some patience as government remedies their challenges.

The Headmistress of HEPSS, Doris Afari lamented the poor state of the school's infrastructure saying the situation makes teaching and learning problematic.

She mentioned the lack of potable water, poor road network, inadequate classrooms, dormitories and the absence of a modern library as some challenges facing the school.

She therefore appealed to government to quickly come to the aid of the school to reverse the situation.

The school's first Headmaster, Rev. Ian Strachan commended the teachers for their hard work despite the lean resources available to them.

He urged them not to be de-motivated by the current challenges but continue to be committed to raising the academic standard of the school.

 From Fred Duodu, Hohoe