Prepare graduates for job market - Ofei-Aboagye
The Deputy Chairperson of the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), Dr Esther Ofei-Aboagye, has asked managers of tertiary institutions to make their courses flexible enough to adapt to the changing economic demands.
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"This flexibility and creativity are those factors that can prepare graduates for the employment market, particularly self-employment."
At the fifth congregation of Kaaf University College at Buduburam in the Central Region, Dr Ofei-Aboagye said most of the courses "do not meet the current trends in the Ghanaian labour market".
That, she said, had made it difficult for most of the youth to secure jobs because their qualifications did not meet the present economic demand.
In all, 186 students graduated with various certificates in areas such as Civil Engineering, Construction Technology, Marketing and Entrepreneurship.
The overall best student award was given to Mr Frank Asamoah Awuah. He received a certificate of recognition, a memento and an undisclosed amount.
Present at the ceremony was former President Jerry John Rawlings.
Strong partnership
Dr Ofei-Aboagye said one of the ways to enhance quality education was for the tertiary institutions to form strong partnership with the private sector that provided jobs.
In order to influence the job market, she also asked the private tertiary institutions to influence policy with evidence-based commentaries on national issues.
Kaaf determined
Delivering his welcome address, the Rector of the Kaaf University College, Dr Frederick Yaw Addo-Abedi, said the institution had, over the past years, produced knowledgeable individuals who were occupying various positions in the country.
He said all the programmes offered by the university were tailored to suit the current labour market.
"Kaaf University College seeks to contribute to reducing the problem of graduate unemployment by producing industry-ready graduates through practical orientation tuitions," Dr Addo-Abedi said.
He said the university was about to introduce a seminar course in entrepreneurship to help provide students with skills required for self-employment.