Dr. Beth Offei-Awuku, President of the Ghana Association of University Administrators (GAUA), has revealed that only around 10 percent of university graduates in Ghana manage to secure employment in the public sector annually. This startling statistic has left many recent graduates feeling despondent about their future prospects.
Dr. Offei-Awuku disclosed this concerning fact during the national launch of the Raising Next Professionals Initiative (RNPI), a program initiated by GAUA. The primary objective of RNPI is to introduce public school children to a variety of professional fields through creative and interactive means. Additionally, the initiative aims to provide these students with access to experienced professionals who can guide them in career counseling activities, focusing on the areas served by the various Member Universities of GAUA.
Dr. Offei-Awuku expressed her deep concern, noting that it is disheartening to have an association dedicated to unemployed graduates. She emphasized the urgency of changing this narrative and instilling hope and purpose in average public-school students, preparing them to become future leaders equipped with critical thinking skills. She believes that initiatives like RNPI can play a vital role in breaking the cycle of graduate unemployment.
The GAUA President emphasized that education should not only impart knowledge but also equip individuals with the skills required for innovation, entrepreneurship, and success in their chosen professions. She lamented the lack of engagement between public school children and professionals in their desired fields.
As part of the RNPI, GAUA plans to involve senior university administrators and professionals from public universities as role models, establishing mentoring relationships with public school children. Furthermore, Dr. Offei-Awuku announced that GAUA would make senior administrators and professionals from public universities available to assist with career guidance, counseling, modeling, mentoring, and related activities for public-school students.
Addressing the issue of declining professional ethics and integrity, Dr. Offei-Awuku referred to statistics from the Ghana Integrity and Public Survey, which revealed that Ghana incurred significant losses of GHC5 billion due to bribery and corrupt practices in 2021. GAUA aims to collaborate with the Ghana Education Service to nurture ethical professionals who can contribute to reducing bribery and corruption in the country.
Dr. Offei-Awuku underscored that through the RNPI, GAUA is strategically positioned to offer expertise, experience, and research-based consultations to the Ghana Education Service, addressing career, cognitive, and conceptual gaps among senior high school students.
Charles Kugbeadzor, Head Teacher of the Adaklu Kodzobi District Assembly Basic School (adopted by the UHAS chapter of GAUA), expressed his school’s commitment to ensuring the holistic development of pupils. He hopes that RNPI will equip students with not only knowledge and skills but also the confidence and clarity to pursue their dreams.
Togbe Dzegblade IV, the Chief of the community, commended GAUA, particularly the UHAS chapter, for selecting their community’s school and pledged to collaborate with the Association to achieve their shared goals.
GAUA consists of administrators from approximately 16 public universities in Ghana.
