The National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, has called for a reorientation of Ghana’s educational system to emphasise innovation and entrepreneurship as a way to address the country’s growing youth unemployment.
He said the current structure of the education system largely prepares students to seek employment instead of equipping them to create jobs.
Mr. Asiedu Nketiah made the call at the launch of the Volta Youth Development Fund in Ho on Saturday, March 7.
According to him, Ghana’s unemployment challenge has been worsened by the orientation of many educational institutions that train students mainly for employment in government or established organisations.
He explained that in many developed countries, universities focus on researching societal problems and developing solutions that contribute to economic growth.
“In many developed countries, universities research societal problems and develop solutions that contribute to economic growth, but here most of our universities are training students mainly to seek employment,” he said.
Mr Asiedu Nketiah noted that it was unrealistic to expect any government to employ all graduates entering the job market each year.
“It is simply not possible for any government to employ all graduates coming out of our universities. Somebody must begin to create jobs and employment opportunities so that others can also be employed,” he said.
He described initiatives such as the Volta Youth Development Fund as important interventions that could support young people with innovative ideas to establish businesses and create employment.
According to him, placing everyone on the government’s payroll would not be sustainable, as the country’s limited tax revenue would be insufficient to support such a system.
Mr Asiedu Nketiah, therefore, urged young people, particularly university students, to identify problems within society and develop practical solutions that could be transformed into viable businesses.
“Economies grow when people identify problems affecting society and convert solutions into sources of income,” he said.
He acknowledged that Ghana’s systems for nurturing business ideas were still evolving, but stressed that the country must continue moving in that direction.
Mr Asiedu Nketiah expressed hope that the Volta Youth Development Fund would inspire similar initiatives in other regions and among corporate organisations to help address youth unemployment across the country.
He also donated GH¢500,000 to support the fund.
The Volta Regional Minister, James Gunu, expressed appreciation to the NDC National Chairman for supporting the initiative through the donation.
He urged individuals and corporate organisations to also contribute to the Volta Youth Development Fund to help expand opportunities for young entrepreneurs in the region.
Source: GNA
