Experts Seek Educational Reforms At Job Camp

Experts have proposed educational reforms in Ghana as means to reduce the soaring rate of graduate unemployment.

They raised this concern at the jobs and unemployment forum dubbed, “Job Camp” organised by Ghana Think Foundation in partnership with Citi FM and funded by multi-donor fund Manager, STAR-Ghana.

The event which was held at the Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium brought together over 60 youth particularly unemployed graduates.

The resource persons included co-founder of Sekaf Ghana Limited, Senyo Kpelly; Transport Manager of M&M Xpress Limited, Madam Mawusi A. Siabi; a Teacher at the Tamale Senior High School, Madam Cecilia Sefakor; a Disaster Management Expert, Kofi Larbi; and an Assistant Rector at the Tamale Technical University, Wumbei Abdulai.

They insisted that tertiary institutions should redesign their programmes and train students to be self-employed.

They argued that Ghana’s educational training institutions lacked programmes needed to enable continuing students and graduates function efficiently in class or at the workplaces.

They, therefore, underscored the need for government to reform the educational system to propel all tertiary institutions to train students to be creative and innovative.

They further advocated the need to focus on practical orientation so as to encourage graduates create their own career opportunities.

The Executive Director of Ghana Think Foundation, Ato Ulzen-Appiah said it was a nationwide event that sought to brainstorm and profer solutions to the nagging problem of youth unemployment.

“The event is being organised in all ten regional capitals with the objective of providing a platform for participants to discuss jobs and networking.”

He explained that, “Job Camp is expected to lead to better partnerships amongst the youth in creating enterprises, access to employment and personal development opportunities. Through Job Camp, we believe that there will be a better understanding of what kind of jobs are required and should be created in each location of Ghana.”

Ato Ulzen- Appiah anticipated that, “A final report on the overall outcome of the event after the nationwide tour would enable Ghana Think Foundation, Citi FM and STAR-Ghana hold dialogue sessions with government so that the concerns raised by the youth can be addressed.”

Star-Ghana’s Gender and Social Inclusion Officer, Safia Musah said much attention should be paid to issues affecting youth development.

“The youth forms a major part of our population and they have unique challenges that need serious attention.”

“STAR-Ghana believes that there is the need to support the development of the youth by giving them the platform to voice their concerns so that those concerns can be captured by government during the formulation of youth-centered policies.”

She added that, “Sitting through the event from the beginning to the end, my verdict is that the support from STAR-Ghana towards the organisation of Job Camp in Tamale and throughout the country is worth it.”

Co-founder of Hopin Academy and a volunteer at the event in a Citi News interview on the sidelines commended the Ghana Think Foundation for the unique opportunity.

Job Camps are free networking forums that bring people together to discuss jobs and unemployment in the country.

They feature resource persons from the public and private sectors, civil society organisations, academia and youth representatives.