In a bid to enhance the employability of graduates, the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) is set to reaccredit tertiary institutions based on the job status of their alumni.
This new initiative is scheduled for implementation in the coming year and will compel educational institutions to prioritize the production of graduates capable of securing employment upon completing their studies.
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Prof Ahmed Abdulai Jinapor, Director General of GTEC, explained the reasoning behind this initiative at the opening of the two-day African Continental Qualifications Framework (ACQF) workshop held in Accra.
The ACQF is an educational programme supported by the European Union (EU) and is being implemented in 20 African countries with the aim of making African education more relevant to the job market.
Prof Jinapor stressed that the current tertiary education system is often unable to provide students with the skills and qualifications required to secure employment after graduation.
As a result, many degree holders struggle to find work, which not only impacts their individual livelihood but also poses a potential threat to national security.
In response to this challenge, GTEC has introduced the reaccreditation requirement. Prof Jinapor emphasised that institutions must be accountable for the employment status of their graduates to be eligible for reaccreditation.
He argued, “You need to be accountable for the people that you churn out. If the people you are churning out within five years are not being placed within the job market, then it means you are not fit for purpose and it means that you are not contributing to the economic development of this country.”
Madam Martha Anna, European Union Representative, reiterated the EU's commitment to supporting Ghana's goal of providing quality, equitable, and relevant education.
She pledged the EU's assistance in implementing measures to equip graduates with the necessary skills to enhance their employability.
