By Dorothy Frances Ward, GNA
Kumasi, June 18, GNA – The Government says it is committed to provide the needed economic and employable prospects to the Ghanaian youth through the Sustainable Employable Economic Development (SEED) programme.
Mr. Eric Adjei, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Entrepreneurial and Innovation Programme (NEIP), who stated this said the SEED Programme, which targets students mainly in entrepreneurial skills, would provide opportunities for the youth to be self-employed, promote innovation and boost the economic development of the country.
Mr. Adjei was speaking at the opening of the maiden career fair of the University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development (USTED), in Kumasi.
The fair, which was on the theme “Enhancing Employability; Bridging of students Potential with Industry Opportunities,” was attended by employers, industry leaders, professionals and entrepreneurs.
It aimed at affording students the opportunity to engage with industry experts, discover internship and empowerment opportunities, gain career insights and provide network and skills in the dynamic market.
According to Mr. Adjei, the government with the SEED Programme, was preparing the youth to actively convert academic theory into entrepreneurship and market theories.
He noted that this would enable technical and vocational institutions to plan alongside businesses.
He said students would be able to establish and build themselves that Artificial Intelligence could take away the entrepreneurship and skills development they had acquired.
Mr. Adjei announced that the government would select 15 students from every Technical and Vocational Institution and support them, provide them with mentorship skills and business ideas.
Prof. Frederick Sarfo, the Vice-Chancellor of USTED, said talents without opportunities were opportunities deferred, and education at the deepest level was an act of transformation.
He said the USTED trains and provides teachers with relevant competencies, adding that the university had strong linkages with industry and institutions for holistic training of students.
He urged students to be ready for the job market and persevere to compete with the technologies of the future job market.
Professor Sarfo said the university had produced graduates who were not only teachers but working in the competitive world of work.
“When the university listens to the needs of employers, graduates become more relevant. Employability is a shared responsibility,” he said.
Prof. Isaac Boateng, the Pro Vice-Chancellor of USTED, said the fair would enable the students to showcase diverse academic and professional training competencies.
It would also bridge the gap between students and industries and create opportunities for networking.
He said the fair would strengthen the university, promote innovation and ensure that education led to opportunities to contribute significantly to economic development.
GNA
Edited by Kwabia Owusu-Mensah/Benjamin Mensah
Reporter: France Dorothy Ward
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