Kingsley Owusu Tabi: Graduates must not rely on Government for Employment
The University Relations Officer (URO) of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), has advised graduates not to rely on the government for employment saying opportunities in the public sector continue to dwindle by the day.
Mr. Kingsley Owusu Tabi said the number of graduates churned out from the country’s tertiary institutions annually, does not commensurate the number of people leaving the job market hence creating very few spaces for employment adding that with a bit of zeal, determination and entrepreneurial skills, students can find something meaningful to do.
The URO urged students who know their strengths or potentials to consider the option of forming groups with like-minded people with similar skills to form companies.
His advice following a report that about 44.8 percent of graduates from the universities, polytechnics and other tertiary institutions are jobless.
These graduates are believed to be in the age bracket of 22 and 25, a study conducted by Dr. William Baah-Boateng, a labour economist and senior lecturer at the Department of Economics, the University of Ghana has disclosed.
Mr. Tabi was speaking in an interview with Focus FM in Kumasi three days ahead of the 45th congregation of the university.
The congregation, which starts on Monday, June 20 with the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) and the College of Architecture and Planning (CAP), will end on Saturday June 25, with the School of Graduate Studies except for Thursday, June 23.
In all, about 5,105 students are expected to graduate with various class honours out of which 573 are postgraduate students and the rest undergraduates.
About 350 undergraduate students will walk home with First Class honours whilst 2,407 students will be awarded with Second Class honours in upper division. 1,356 and 448 undergraduates will be graduating with Second Class honours in lower division and passes respectively.
Since assuming office as the URO, this year’s congregation will be Mr. Tabi’s first full congregation and he is hoping that with the preparations put together everything will be successful on the given days.
He said the University Information Technology System (UITS) have advanced plans to stream the congregation live on the internet for anyone who cannot be present.
Dignitaries expected to grace the five-day programme include the Chancellor of the University, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene; the Chairman of the University Council, Mr. Paul Victor Obeng; Ministers of State, Lectures, collaborators, parents as well as well wishers.
Bright Habita
Focus 94.3 FM, KNUST
Category: Education
