Ghana Still Training Graduates for the 1980s, Not 2030 – Ishmael Yamson at New Year School

Published: January 6, 2025

Introduction

Why is Ghana’s education system failing to prepare graduates for the modern economy? Dr Ishmael Yamson, Board Chairman of MTN Ghana, delivered a compelling keynote at the 77th Annual New Year School and Conference, warning that Ghana’s education system is outdated and misaligned with the needs of a 21st-century market economy. He emphasized that without urgent reform, Ghana risks training generations of graduates for jobs that no longer exist. This article explores his key arguments, the implications for Ghana’s economic future, and actionable steps toward a sustainable education and skills development strategy.

Key Points

Ghana’s education system trains students for the 1980s economy, not the future.
Technical and vocational skills must be valued equally with white-collar professions.
University curricula should be developed with industry input to match market demands.
Graduate unemployment stems from a mismatch between education and job market needs.
A national economic reset requires prioritizing skills in AI, green energy, and advanced manufacturing.

Background

The State of Graduate Unemployment in Ghana

Ghana faces a persistent challenge with graduate unemployment. According to the Ghana Statistical Service, youth unemployment remains high, with many graduates unable to find jobs relevant to their qualifications. This is not due to a lack of education, but rather a disconnect between what is taught in schools and what industries require.

The New Year School and Conference

The New Year School and Conference, organized by the Institute of African Studies at the University of Ghana, is a premier annual forum for discussing national development issues. The 77th edition, held in January 2025, focused on resetting Ghana’s economic trajectory, with Dr Ishmael Yamson delivering a keynote that challenged long-standing educational and economic paradigms.

Dr Ishmael Yamson’s Credibility

As the Board Chairman of MTN Ghana, one of the country’s largest telecommunications companies, Dr Yamson brings extensive experience in business strategy, economic development, and human resources. His insights are grounded in real-world industry challenges and opportunities, lending weight to his call for educational reform.

Analysis

Outdated Education System: Training for the 1980s

Dr Yamson’s central argument is that Ghana’s education system has not evolved to meet the demands of the 21st century. He stated, “We are training students for the economy of the 1980s, not 2030.” This mismatch manifests in several ways:

Theory over Practice: Curricula emphasize theoretical knowledge over practical skills.
White-Collar Bias: Society values degrees in law, business, and social sciences over technical and vocational training.
Isolation from Industry: Universities design programs without consulting employers or industry bodies.

As a result, thousands of graduates enter the job market with qualifications that do not match employer needs, leading to underemployment or unemployment.

The Devaluation of Technical and Vocational Skills

Yamson highlighted a cultural issue: skilled technicians like welders, electricians, and toolmakers are not accorded the same respect or pay as bank managers or corporate executives. This perception discourages students from pursuing technical careers, even though these roles are critical for industrialization and economic diversification.

He argued, “Skilled technicians in a reset Ghana should command the same respect and pay as a bank manager.” Elevating the status of technical professions is essential for changing mindsets and attracting talent to these fields.

The Need for Industry-Aligned Curricula

One of Yamson’s most actionable recommendations is that university curricula should not be written in isolation by professors. Instead, they must be co-developed with industry bodies to ensure relevance. This approach would:

Align education with current and future job market demands.
Enhance graduate employability and reduce skills gaps.
Foster partnerships between academia and industry.

Examples from countries like Germany and Singapore, where technical education is closely tied to industry needs, demonstrate the effectiveness of this model.

Economic Implications of Skills Mismatch

The skills mismatch has broader economic consequences:

Low Productivity: Industries struggle to find qualified workers, reducing output and competitiveness.
Reduced Innovation: Without skilled technicians and engineers, Ghana cannot effectively adopt new technologies like AI and robotics.
Brain Drain: Frustrated youth seek opportunities abroad, depriving Ghana of talent.

Yamson warned that without structural changes, efforts to stabilize inflation and the currency would be insufficient. A true economic reset requires investing in human capital that drives sustainable growth.

The Future Economy: AI, Green Energy, and Advanced Manufacturing

Yamson emphasized that Ghana’s future lies not only in traditional sectors but in emerging industries such as artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and advanced manufacturing. These sectors demand a workforce skilled in mechatronics, agronomy, toolmaking, and digital technologies.

He stated, “The development of this country will not be driven by lawyers, sociologists and political scientists alone. It will be driven by welders, mechatronics engineers, agronomists, and toolmakers.” This vision calls for a fundamental shift in educational priorities and national development strategy.

Practical Advice

For Policymakers

Reform National Education Policy: Integrate technical and vocational education into mainstream schooling from the basic level.
Incentivize Technical Careers: Offer competitive salaries, career progression, and public recognition for skilled technicians.
Establish Industry-Academia Councils: Create platforms for regular collaboration between universities, polytechnics, and industry leaders.
Invest in TVET Infrastructure: Upgrade technical schools with modern equipment and qualified instructors.
Promote STEM and Mechatronics: Expand access to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education, especially in rural areas.

For Educational Institutions

Review and Update Curricula: Conduct regular audits to ensure programs reflect current industry standards.
Partner with Companies: Develop internship programs, apprenticeships, and joint research projects.
Hire Industry Practitioners: Recruit lecturers with real-world experience in addition to academic qualifications.
Focus on Problem-Based Learning: Shift from rote memorization to practical, solution-oriented teaching methods.
Integrate Digital Skills: Ensure all students, regardless of discipline, acquire basic digital literacy and data analysis skills.

For Parents and Students

Reevaluate Career Perceptions: Recognize that technical and vocational careers offer stable, well-paying, and impactful job opportunities.
Explore TVET Options: Consider technical universities and vocational training centers as viable pathways to success.
Seek Industry Exposure: Engage in career fairs, job shadowing, and mentorship programs to understand market demands.
Develop Soft Skills: Complement technical knowledge with communication, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities.
Stay Adaptable: Embrace lifelong learning to keep pace with technological changes and evolving job markets.

For Industry Leaders

Engage with Schools: Participate in curriculum development and provide guest lectures or workshops.
Offer Apprenticeships: Create structured training programs that combine classroom learning with on-the-job experience.
Support Innovation Hubs: Sponsor maker spaces, coding clubs, and startup incubators in educational institutions.
Advocate for Policy Change: Lobby for reforms that align education with economic needs.
Invest in Upskilling: Provide continuous training for employees to adopt new technologies and processes.

FAQ

Why is Ghana’s education system considered outdated?

Ghana’s education system is seen as outdated because it emphasizes theoretical learning over practical skills, lacks input from industry, and prepares students for jobs that no longer exist or are declining. The curriculum has not kept pace with technological advancements and global economic shifts.

What is the skills mismatch in Ghana?

The skills mismatch refers to the gap between the qualifications graduates possess and the skills employers need. Many graduates have degrees in fields with limited job opportunities, while industries face shortages of skilled technicians, engineers, and digital specialists.

How can technical and vocational education be improved in Ghana?

Improvements include increasing funding for technical schools, updating equipment and curricula, training qualified instructors, changing public perceptions, and linking training programs directly to industry needs through partnerships and apprenticeships.

What role does industry play in education reform?

Industry plays a crucial role by providing input on required skills, offering practical training opportunities, co-developing curricula, and creating job pathways for graduates. This collaboration ensures that education remains relevant and responsive to market demands.

What are the benefits of valuing technical skills equally with academic degrees?

Equal valuation encourages more students to pursue technical careers, reduces unemployment, boosts productivity, supports industrialization, and promotes innovation. It also creates a more balanced and resilient economy capable of competing globally.

How does graduate unemployment affect Ghana’s economy?

Graduate unemployment leads to underutilization of human capital, reduced consumer spending, social unrest, and brain drain. It also signals deeper structural problems in the education and economic systems that hinder long-term growth.

What is the connection between education reform and economic stability?

Education reform is foundational to economic stability. A skilled workforce drives productivity, innovation, and entrepreneurship, which in turn generate jobs, increase exports, and reduce dependency on imports. Without a capable workforce, macroeconomic policies alone cannot sustain growth.

Conclusion

Dr Ishmael Yamson’s message at the New Year School is a wake-up call for Ghana. The nation cannot achieve sustainable development by clinging to an education system designed for a bygone era. To thrive in 2030 and beyond, Ghana must reset its priorities, elevate technical and vocational skills, and align education with the realities of the modern economy.

The path forward requires collaboration among government, educators, industry, and communities. By investing in relevant skills, changing societal attitudes, and building strong bridges between schools and the job market, Ghana can unlock the potential of its youth and build a prosperous, self-reliant future.

The time for action is now. As Yamson warned, without urgent reform, Ghana risks training generations for jobs that no longer exist. Let this be the decade when Ghana chooses progress over stagnation, innovation over imitation, and relevance over routine.

Ghana nonetheless coaching graduates for Eighties, now not 2030 – Ishmael Yamson at New Year School – Life Pulse Daily