Notable personalities react to Dr Adutwum's 'useless degrees' claim

Former Education Minister, Yaw Osei Adutwum, has triggered widespread debate after describing some university programmes as "useless" and "degrees to nowhere."

Dr Adutwum specifically singled out Development Studies at the University for Development Studies and BA Education (Non-Teaching) at the University of Ghana, arguing that such programmes do not adequately prepare graduates for the job market.

He accused universities of prioritising enrolment numbers over labour market demands.

His remarks have sparked strong reactions from academics, journalists, education advocates and activists, many of whom have challenged his assessment.

Here are five notable personalities who have weighed in on the debate.

1. Kwaku Asare

Legal scholar and governance expert, Prof Kwaku Asare, has rejected the description of some university programmes as “useless,” describing the argument as overly simplistic.

While acknowledging the need for greater accountability in higher education, he argued that graduate unemployment is largely driven by structural weaknesses in the economy rather than the academic disciplines students pursue.

According to him, a struggling economy can leave graduates in traditionally marketable fields such as engineering and medicine unemployed just as easily as graduates from the humanities.

2. Manasseh Azure Awuni

Investigative journalist Manasseh, Azure Awuni, also disagreed with Dr Adutwum's position, insisting that the real issue lies with governance rather than university programmes.

He argued that Ghana does not have “useless” courses but rather leaders who have failed to create sufficient employment opportunities and effectively manage the economy to absorb graduates.

Manasseh Azure slams Dr Adutwum on 'useless' degrees

3. George Asiamah

Academician, Dr George Asiamah, has said that measuring the value of a university degree solely by its immediate employment prospects misses the broader purpose of higher education.

He argued that universities are meant to cultivate critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, adding that Ghana's challenge is an economy that has failed to harness the diverse skills graduates possess.

4. Kofi Asare

Executive Director of Africa Education Watch, Kofi Asare, called for a more balanced conversation on university education.

He maintained that every degree programme should equip students with practical skills that support employment, entrepreneurship or further academic study, even where the programme is not directly linked to a specific profession.

He also advocated comprehensive education reforms and stronger labour market forecasting instead of dismissing entire academic disciplines.

5. Oliver Barker-Vormawor

Activist Oliver Barker-Vormawor took a broader philosophical view of the debate.

Reacting to the controversy, he remarked that ‘every degree is a useless degree unless it is used towards the total liberation and advancement of one's society,’ suggesting that the value of education ultimately depends on how graduates apply their knowledge to national development rather than the title of the degree itself.

The debate has reignited discussions about the relevance of university education, graduate employability, curriculum reforms and the responsibility of governments, educational institutions and the private sector in creating opportunities for graduates.

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