By Yussif Ibrahim
Obuasi (Ash), April 1, GNA – Job hunting has been a daunting task for new graduates from various tertiary educational institutions in Ghana with limited opportunities on the job market for young people.
According to a report of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), about 107,263 students graduate from various tertiary institutions each year in Ghana.
The Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER) also indicates that only 10 per cent of tertiary students who graduate annually are able to secure employment within a year of graduation.
To prepare the minds of students to the realities of the job market and how to ensure a successful career after school, AngloGold Ashanti has organised a business empowerment seminar for the Obuasi campus of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).
The seminar, organised in collaboration with the KNUST Business School, was aimed at empowering students with the knowledge, skills, and mindset needed to succeed after school.
Successful and experienced entrepreneurs were on hand to coach the participants on how to position themselves to become successful business owners after leaving school.
Mr. Kelvin Ofori Atta, the Economic Development Officer, AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine, said the seminar also sought to provide students with a holistic education that would prepare them for the challenges and opportunities of the real world.
“We recognise that many students face significant barriers to starting and growing their own businesses, including limited access to resources, networks, and mentorship.
This seminar aims to bridge that gap by providing students with practical skills, networking opportunities, and mentorship,” he explained.
Nana Afia Agyeiwaa Boakye Tsikata, CEO of Bacnof School, who was one of the resource persons, spoke on how to become a successful entrepreneur.
She said one needed to have a vision and be inspired by the problems within the environment, stressing that discipline was a key driver to becoming successful in their endeavours.
“Discipline here means that we need to be on time for meetings, appointments, and deadlines. Punctuality is not just about being on time, it’s about being professional, reliable, and respectful and showing up fully present and prepared to tackle the task at hand,” she added.
Ms. Marian Gifty Mensah, a Fashion Designer, underscored the importance of patience as entrepreneur, reminding the participants that building a business could be slow, messy and unpredictable at times.
“We need to be patient with the setbacks, the failures, and the disappointments that inevitably come our way,” she advised.
She encouraged the participants to cultivate patience as an essential part of their entrepreneurial toolkit.
Mr. Edward Kwasi Akuoko, Chief Executive Officer of Muffin Group of Companies, said credibility is the foundation upon which successful businesses are built.
“It is the glue that holds together our relationships with customers, investors, partners, and employees,” he noted.
Mr. Godisking Ameyaw, President of KNUST Business School, on behalf of the students, expressed their heartfelt appreciation to AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine for the programme.
He said the seminar was incredibly informative and provided them with valuable insights into the world of entrepreneurship.
GNA
YI/CA