Education in Africa: An Administrator's Perspective

Presentation used during workshop on "Interview Do's and Don'ts " at BlueCrest College, Accra on 28th May 2016. Video used during the workshop can be accessed by visiting below URL: Expert Advice On Job Interviews Read about  Importance of Office Application for all Job Seekers including IDC survey on Importance of Office Application

One of the top headlines in most of the news media nowadays is about unemployment. This topic of unemployment has also taken a key space in most of the speeches across the country in public and private universities. A new report by the World Bank on unemployment in Ghana has revealed that about 48 percent of Ghanaians between the ages of 15-24 do not have jobs. (source: http://pulse.com.gh/business/unemployment-in-ghana-48-of-ghanaian-youth-jobless-world-bank-report-id5026856.html) The report, " The Landscape of Jobs in Ghana ", touched on ways of finding opportunities for youth inclusion in Ghana's labour market. “In Ghana, youth are less likely than adults to be working: in 2012, about 52% of people aged 15-24 were employed (compared to about 90% for the 25-64 population), a third were in school, 14% were inactive and 4% were unemployed actively looking for job. Young women in the same age group are particularly disadvantaged and have much higher inactivity

Below are my remarks during launch of National 30 km Road Baton Relay at Accra Sports Stadium, Accra on 13th May 2016. The Baton Relay was launched by Deputy Minister for Youth and Sports (Republic of Ghana), Hon. Vincent Oppong Asamoah (on my right). Athletics have always been an essential component of a liberal education. Schools that offer more sports and field more successful teams produce higher test scores and graduation rates, research shows. There is a relatively consistent body of research showing that students who participate in athletics tend to fare significantly better both in school and in later life. Participating in sports, like playing in the school band or competing on the debate team, are cognitively and organizationally demanding activities that help convey self-discipline and leadership skills. This is especially true for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. In addition, it has also been found that schools that offer more sports and field more

Today, Africans are the architects of their development, not just beneficiaries. The new model for development  is focussing on partnerships — with African governments, businesses, universities and civil society. But Africa will continue to be held back if we do not immediately invest in research and development. It was agreed at the African Union Heads of State summit in 2006 that African governments should target 1% of their GDP spending on research and if that target is not met continent’s development will be stalled. We must join hands with strong and credible international partners to invest in local research. Without funding and the necessary regulatory environment and policies, the benefits of the scientific results emanating from research work won’t be harvested. As private university college we fully support the same and has already taken significant steps to catalyze the growth. Africa as a continent is growing with fast pace. Astute international invest