Tertiary students express fear of being unemployed after school

Following the high youth unemployment rates in Ghana, some final year tertiary students at Wa, have expressed worry about their uncertainty in finding meaningful jobs for a decent living after school. 

They expressed concern over the limited job opportunities in the country, noting that the situation had left many tertiary school graduates stranded, despite years of academic investment and skills acquisition.

Mr Denis Akyereko, a final year student of the SDD University of Business and Integrated Development Studies (SDD-UBIDS), told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview that he planned to establish his own business after National Service to earn a living.  

Mr Joshua Osei Tutu, also a final year student of the SDD-UBIDS, however, recommended that “Young people should foster a culture of self-reliance through entrepreneurship training in order not to rely on the government for white colour jobs.” 

The students appealed with the government to put in place measures, such as tax reduction incentives or exempting youth-led businesses from taxes, to create a favourable business environment for youth-led enterprises to thrive.

Madam Diana Abono, another final year student at the University, urged the government to expand public sector job opportunities, as well as develop digital and technological platforms to open new markets for young businesses. 

Others emphasised the need for accessible start-up capitals, to help young people translate their dreams and skills into sustainable businesses.

Mr Felix Wuurah, the Wa Municipal Director of the National Youth Authority (NYA), corroborated the concerns of the students but added that the NYA had taken initiatives to address the challenge of youth unemployment in the country.

He explained that the government, through the NYA, had rolled out targeted skills development programmes and promoting entrepreneurship among young people.

“The NYA is mandated to complement the work of the Youth Employment Agency (YEA) by recruiting both skilled and unskilled youth into practical training schemes aimed at securing jobs or creating self-employment,” he explained.

Mr Wuurah said through the National Apprenticeship Programme, for instance, the Authority was offering hands-on training in areas such as carpentry, dressmaking, hairdressing, and satellite installation for young people as a source of employment. 

He said the beneficiaries were not only trained but also provided with start-up kits and capital to enable them work independently and employ others.

Mr Wuurah added that the NYA was currently implementing the “Our STEP (Skill Towards Employment and Productivity) Programme,” being implemented in the Lambussie, Sissala East, and Wa East Districts in the region.

He said the programme was to support at least 200 youths per district to receive training in trading and technical skills, to enable them to earn sustainable livelihoods.

Mr Wuurah emphasised that tackling unemployment required a collective effort, calling on private sector actors, and communities to complement the government’s efforts in creating more opportunities for the youth. 

Source: GNA

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