From job seekers to job creators: GES shows the way

Ghana's Education Service (GES) is introducing a National Entrepreneurship Programme for Senior High Schools (NEP-SHS), a strategic move to address the persistent challenge of youth unemployment. The initiative seeks to shift the educational focus from mere certificate acquisition to fostering self-reliance and equipping young people with the skills to create their own opportunities.

For too long, Ghana's education system has primarily prepared students for a saturated formal job market, resulting in a large pool of unemployed graduates. The NEP-SHS directly confronts this issue by integrating entrepreneurship education at the secondary level. The program emphasizes practical training, mentorship, and business pitching, aiming to instill innovation, creativity, and problem-solving skills before students enter the workforce.

Statistics highlight the urgency, with youth unemployment around 23 percent for those aged 15-24 and over 750,000 young people seeking jobs. The program's success hinges on effective implementation, including a prudent pilot phase in schools like Achimota and Wesley Grammar. Collaboration with private entities, such as Procus Ghana Limited, is crucial for funding, practical insights, and mentorship.

Sustainability is a key consideration, requiring the program to be embedded within the national curriculum with adequate resources and continuous monitoring. The GES's call for broader organizational support must be heeded to ensure the initiative's long-term impact in transforming educational outcomes and addressing a critical national economic challenge.