Skills gap threatens graduate employment, the future looks dangerous for unskilled graduates”- NASPA President warns:

Emmanuel Suuk, the National Service Personnel Association (NASPA) President for Kwabre East in the Ashanti Region, has emphasized the urgent need for Ghanaian graduates to acquire practical skills to combat rising unemployment.

Suuk highlighted a common concern, stating that many people desire government or private sector investment in industries but lack the necessary skills to contribute effectively. “We are wishing for industries and businesses to be established by the government and other authorities. But when those industries are established, we need skilled people. The question is, how many graduates in Ghana have the skills to qualify for those jobs?” he asked.

He argued that widespread skills development is essential for attracting investment and enabling the export of goods and services. “We need people who have the skills and can do the work, people who qualify for available industry services. It’s time we focus more on practical skills instead of solely relying on theories. The system is choked, and there’s going to be a high demand for skilled personnel. How many graduates have those skills?”

The Kwabre East NASPA President made these remarks during a free entrepreneurship training program organized by the association for service personnel and community members.

He discussed the skills training initiative, emphasizing the critical role of practical skills in career development and community impact.

President Suuk explained that the training program covers various in-demand skills, including DSTV installation and soap making (liquid soap and scented parazon) among others. “We are teaching people how to install DSTV. And then we are teaching about liquid soap and soaps for washing, normally called ‘Parazon’,” he clarified.

Explaining the motivation behind the community inclusion, he said, “The National Service Personnel are working within the community, and whatever skills we are learning, we also want to bring into the community.”

He stressed that this initiative aims to shift the narrative away from solely focusing on traditional academic achievements and towards recognizing the value of practical skills. “It shouldn’t always be about ‘I’m a doctor, I’m a nurse, I want to go to the military, but more about skills-oriented programs.” He said.

He underscored that skills, not just academic credentials, are what employers truly seek. “We don’t care about your first class or your second class. It’s the skills that we need,” he emphasized. The training aims to ensure participants can immediately apply their new skills, be it DSTV installation or soap making, in their homes or to generate income.

He further disclosed that the initiative was primarily funded by the director of the NSS in the Kwabre East municipality, Mayor Atta Siaw, with support from the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Hon. Joseph Amankwah Nurudeen. “A recent cleanup exercise in Kenyasi, the gateway to Kwabre East, was also a collaborative effort between the Municipal Assembly, the NSS, and the NASPA,” he revealed.

The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for the area, Hon. Joseph Amankwah Nurudeen, who visited the training venue, expressed his satisfaction with the high attendance and active participation of the beneficiaries.

Explaining the rationale behind his support for the initiative, the MCE reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring that citizens acquire valuable skills, leading to employment in specialized fields or the establishment of their own income-generating businesses.

He disclosed that the government has already planned a national apprenticeship program designed to alleviate mass poverty. He stated that upon witnessing the Kwabre East National Service’s initiative, he recognized the importance of supporting and encouraging such endeavors.

“It’s beneficial to have additional skills, even if you’re already employed, in order to improve your financial stability. The John Dramani Mahama-led government aims to improve the well-being of Ghanaians, and that’s why we will continue to establish and support initiatives like these,” he stated.

The MCE concluded by pledging the government’s continued support for such initiatives. He affirmed that the Municipal Assembly, under his leadership, would provide assistance whenever the National Service Authority (NSA) organizes similar programs in the future.

Finally, the municipal director of the Kwabre East NSA, Mayor Atta Siaw, stated that the authority intends to continue the initiative and support any NASPA group that undertakes similar projects.