African Education needs a paradigm shift

Superintendent Felix Mawusi, Director of Commercial Crime Unit of the Criminal Investigation Division, has called on African governments to transform educational system on the continent from a theoretical to skill development to help reduce the unemployment.

“The time has come for leaders in the sub-region to embark on an educational paradigm shift that will equip the youth with entrepreneurial skills and critical thinking to be self-reliant”, he said.


He was speaking at a forum organised by the United Nations Youth Association Ghana (UNYA-GH), the youth wing of UN Associations to promote peace education and development in the African sub-region.


The one-day conference themed: “Transforming the Youth for National Peace and Development: The Role of UNYA-GH” brought together political parties representatives, affiliate youth groups from Mali, Nigeria, Sierra Leon and Burkina Faso.


Topics participants were taken through include: “The role of media in elections”; “The impact of political instability on women and children”; “Youth and Violence”; and “The Role of Women Politicians and Wives of Political Leaders in ensuring Free and Fair Elections.”


He said the youth had diverse talents, which needed to be developed to propel the continents growth and development.

He also urged the youth to have positive attitude towards work and tolerate each other’s opinion to help maintain peace and stability as well as cooperation in the region.


Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom, Flag bearer of the Progressive Peoples Party (PPP) said governments in the continents needed to engage the youth in governance and also tap their potential to address the many challenges Africa was facing.


“Indeed the time has come to integrate youth voices more meaningfully in the decision making processes at all levels and particularly during elections”, he said. Dr. Nduom called on UNYA-GH and its affiliates to frequently sensitize the youth on the social, psychological effects of violence to families, societies and nations on the continent.


Focusing on Ghana, he said, the nation could be better managed and developed if the decetralisation system was effective.


“For instance the President should not nominate district executives but rather allow local people to elect a person who will help develop their district”, he said.