University not meant to produce skilled graduates – Addae-Mensah

Read Article

Comments (42)

This article is closed for comments.

Read Comments Comments (42)

PRINCE KWASI ADADE (OFIE P33) 9 years ago

SOURCE : Class fm online.com---------
Ghana is paying six times its total oil revenue as interest on the country’s total public debt stock; that’s the computation done by former Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr M ...
read full comment

SOURCE : Class fm online.com---------
Ghana is paying six times its total oil revenue as interest on the country’s total public debt stock; that’s the computation done by former Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.

“We’ll reach GHC99billion by the end of this year 2015,” the Running Mate to the Flagbearer of the biggest opposition Party said in a post-budget presentation interview with Richard Sky of Citi FM.

“The interest on this debt alone is going to be six times Ghana’s oil revenue,” Dr Bawumia said.

“When we found oil, we were happy that we found oil, but the borrowing of this Government has compromised the whole oil discovery; you need six times our oil revenue just to pay interest on the debt, not even capital, so, it is a really sad development,” he complained.
Obra 9 years ago

Otabil is cynic. He is always looking out for himself and business. His subtle campaign for NPP is glaring for all to see.

Otabil is cynic. He is always looking out for himself and business. His subtle campaign for NPP is glaring for all to see.
PRINCEWILLY@YMAIL.COM 9 years ago

A man had a son, but he was born as only a head. The man lovedhis son very much and took care of him, even though he was only a head.When the son turned 21, the man took him to a bar."One whiskey for my boy, barkeep!" said th ...
read full comment

A man had a son, but he was born as only a head. The man lovedhis son very much and took care of him, even though he was only a head.When the son turned 21, the man took him to a bar."One whiskey for my boy, barkeep!" said the man."You don't want to do that," said the bartender."He's a man, just turned 21! Get him a whiskey!""I'm serious," the bartender insisted. "It's a bad idea.""Just do it!" ordered the man.So the bartender got the head a whiskey, and when he drank it, hesprouted a body! The head and his dad were excited, but the bartenderwasn't pleased."Wow, another one of those for my boy!" yelled the man."It's a really bad idea," the bartender stated."Just give him a stupid whiskey! Geez, I'm payin', ain't I?" said theman, a little frustrated now.So the bartender gave the son a whiskey, and he grew an arm! The father madethe bartender give more whiskey to the head, and he grew another arm, a leg,another leg, and finally the head was a whole person.The son was so excited that he ran into the street, screaming and shouting happily, and was hit by a car and died."I told you," the bartender said. "You should've quit while he was a head."

WHATS THE USE OF HAVING A TECHNICAL UNIVERSITIES IF THE UNIVERSITIES ARE NOT MEANT TO PRODUCE SKILLED GRADUATES?
Red Cock 9 years ago

Even with technical universities you cannot produce graduates to fit a company,this would be possible if all companies have one purpose.Take Telecom engineering for instance if you train the graduate in Neax switches does it ...
read full comment

Even with technical universities you cannot produce graduates to fit a company,this would be possible if all companies have one purpose.Take Telecom engineering for instance if you train the graduate in Neax switches does it mean he can only work for places that use Neax. What about Telecom Companies that use Motorola, Alcatel or Phillips.The employer provides on the job training to fit their role.
KK 9 years ago

It is only in Ghana that university graduates are not ready for the job market. This is because we only teach theory with no practical problem solving techniques. Lecturers do not revise their notes and as a student, you dare ...
read full comment

It is only in Ghana that university graduates are not ready for the job market. This is because we only teach theory with no practical problem solving techniques. Lecturers do not revise their notes and as a student, you dare not provide answers that outside of what you are thought because you will be marked down whether you are right or wrong. No one is saying a university student should be an expert from day one but they should be in a position to start from the entry level. What we see in this country is that they are not even ready for the entry level.
Professor Doctor 9 years ago

PROF A.A. KWAPONG IN AN ADDRESS IN 1967 OR SO, ALSO SAID THAT, THE UNIVERSITY FIRST DEGREE WAS TO TRAIN (THE MIND), OF THE STUDENT, SO THAT HE COULD BE ABLE TO ANALYSE PROBLEMS, UNDERSTAND, AND WORK IN ANY PROFESSION THAT HE ...
read full comment

PROF A.A. KWAPONG IN AN ADDRESS IN 1967 OR SO, ALSO SAID THAT, THE UNIVERSITY FIRST DEGREE WAS TO TRAIN (THE MIND), OF THE STUDENT, SO THAT HE COULD BE ABLE TO ANALYSE PROBLEMS, UNDERSTAND, AND WORK IN ANY PROFESSION THAT HE FINDS HIM OR HERSELF. SO ALL WHO CRITICIZE UNIVERSITY GRADUATES FOR NOT BEING EQUIPED WITH THIS OR THAT ARE ALL WRONG. WHAT WAS OUR PRESIDENT EQUIPED WITH WHEN HE LEFT LEGON ?. THE ABILITY TO ANALYSE AND PASS GOOD JUDGEMENT. INO BE SO ?
Hostage Negotiator 9 years ago

Unlike the traditional universities, Technical universities churn out skilled manpower to feed industry.

Unlike the traditional universities, Technical universities churn out skilled manpower to feed industry.
BISA GOMA 9 years ago

The problem of skills must be looked from the JSS and SHS Levels. Government must focus technical vocational skills at the rural level. This means aligning these schools into technical unis to compete with the traditional sys ...
read full comment

The problem of skills must be looked from the JSS and SHS Levels. Government must focus technical vocational skills at the rural level. This means aligning these schools into technical unis to compete with the traditional system.
·
Red Cock 9 years ago

Great ,tell them the truth.JDM started all this nonsense,when he should accept he is not able to create jobs for graduates except his cronies then he came with this assertion.Which university did he attend himself?Which unive ...
read full comment

Great ,tell them the truth.JDM started all this nonsense,when he should accept he is not able to create jobs for graduates except his cronies then he came with this assertion.Which university did he attend himself?Which university can give you competence to fit into every institution as if they all have one singular goal objective and organisational culture and strategy.
Godfred, USA 9 years ago

There is no further truth than what the former chancellors are saying. My History professor always said that university education is essentially a mind training exercise. Universities train students to be critical thinkers an ...
read full comment

There is no further truth than what the former chancellors are saying. My History professor always said that university education is essentially a mind training exercise. Universities train students to be critical thinkers and not industrial hands on personnel. I think that we should educate high school students and society at large to understand this fact.

Marquis 9 years ago

Universities train to learn. Reasons why Kwame Nkrumah set up the Polytechnics to train to do. That is an area we failed to continue after CPP was overthrown. Lets get back to basics and start all over

Universities train to learn. Reasons why Kwame Nkrumah set up the Polytechnics to train to do. That is an area we failed to continue after CPP was overthrown. Lets get back to basics and start all over
samuel azumah 9 years ago

i read some of your books,some universities have to train undergraduate and graduate students in skills,some no.you are right.president Mahama is also right in saying so.Ghana needs highly academic ones like you and others to ...
read full comment

i read some of your books,some universities have to train undergraduate and graduate students in skills,some no.you are right.president Mahama is also right in saying so.Ghana needs highly academic ones like you and others to foster the US and the UK interest on security so that we can leave our lives against terrorism
James 9 years ago

Some of these students can't think critically, can't ask the difficult question, 'crucify grammar'.
Critical thinking, analysis and innovation are the order of the day. For our futures sake we should encourage more students ...
read full comment

Some of these students can't think critically, can't ask the difficult question, 'crucify grammar'.
Critical thinking, analysis and innovation are the order of the day. For our futures sake we should encourage more students to take STEM subjects - science, technology, engineering and mathematics
Sankofa 9 years ago

Why is it that we produce engineers and other technical people, but still rely on foreigners to exploit our abundant mineral, oil and gas resources, and to undertake all major infrastructural projects in our country?

The ...
read full comment

Why is it that we produce engineers and other technical people, but still rely on foreigners to exploit our abundant mineral, oil and gas resources, and to undertake all major infrastructural projects in our country?

There is something lacking in our educational system. We need to train people to think critically and solve problems. We need to acquire the skills to exploit our abundant natural resources for the benefit of all our people.
Conventional Youth 9 years ago

Spot on SANKOFA independence with poor economic indicators and absolute reliance on needless importation of goods and services is, stupid and recipe for Churning out abysmal unemployed youth amist potentials and plenty possib ...
read full comment

Spot on SANKOFA independence with poor economic indicators and absolute reliance on needless importation of goods and services is, stupid and recipe for Churning out abysmal unemployed youth amist potentials and plenty possibilities.
Conventional Youth 9 years ago

Well done James, however, you missed the ICs to seal the the STEMICs components.

Please visit the KNOWLEDGE CENTRE *KC* @ stemics.org. to promote and project the STEMICs smart goals for sustainable developments.

Well done James, however, you missed the ICs to seal the the STEMICs components.

Please visit the KNOWLEDGE CENTRE *KC* @ stemics.org. to promote and project the STEMICs smart goals for sustainable developments.
Josh 9 years ago

Thank you Prof. Too many publicity-seeking politicians easily jump on the bandwagon in calling for so called skilled graduates. It is up to industry and professional bodies to make them skilled.

Thank you Prof. Too many publicity-seeking politicians easily jump on the bandwagon in calling for so called skilled graduates. It is up to industry and professional bodies to make them skilled.
Rachel 9 years ago

So what's the point going to a university if they're not trained for the workforce?

So what's the point going to a university if they're not trained for the workforce?
lankwei 9 years ago

There is a point going to university. However, if you believe it is the training ground for the work force, then you are missing the point! Going to university is NOT a panacea for getting a job.

There is a point going to university. However, if you believe it is the training ground for the work force, then you are missing the point! Going to university is NOT a panacea for getting a job.
Obra 9 years ago

Pro, one can carry gun powder and smoke at the same time or as George bush like to say one can walk and chew gum at the same time. The universities should have as part of their objectives to produce cognitive students in add ...
read full comment

Pro, one can carry gun powder and smoke at the same time or as George bush like to say one can walk and chew gum at the same time. The universities should have as part of their objectives to produce cognitive students in addition to equipping them with skill sets.
So the universities can produce nurses who are not robots. They can produce engineers who are thinkers.

Kwame 9 years ago

What the Professors have said is true. It is rather the polytechnics who normally should produce the skilled labour. Universities train the minds of students to be managers, directors, board members, etcetera of organizations ...
read full comment

What the Professors have said is true. It is rather the polytechnics who normally should produce the skilled labour. Universities train the minds of students to be managers, directors, board members, etcetera of organizations.
Obra 9 years ago

Kwame, times have changed and everybody is being trained to do all that and more. You cannot start your own business if you don't have those attributes. You cannot burden your new business with unnecessary overheads. The b ...
read full comment

Kwame, times have changed and everybody is being trained to do all that and more. You cannot start your own business if you don't have those attributes. You cannot burden your new business with unnecessary overheads. The bane of our society is due to some people thinking they have been trained to "lord it" over others.
We need to change with the times. We need to modernize. Fayol's theory has outlived its usefulness.
Biko 9 years ago

Just take a look at how students are trained in the west, and you will realize that we are joking in Ghana. Students should get all the facilities for the practicals in whatever field that they are being trained in. The state ...
read full comment

Just take a look at how students are trained in the west, and you will realize that we are joking in Ghana. Students should get all the facilities for the practicals in whatever field that they are being trained in. The state and the school authorities are unable to provide these very essential practical materials for the students most of the time. I know of some newly admitted Ghanaian high school students to a high school in a western country. These children were surprised to learn that they had to do practicals in maths classes too. You are required to take practicals in whatever subject that you take in a western college. You will then come out of college very confident of yourself. What type of thinking are we taking of when they can't do the job. No wonder that we have to fly in western educated people for all the projects that we undertake in Ghana Book looooooong.
George Nutsugah 9 years ago

John dead goat thinks that the provision of universities will bring about job creation. Dead goat Mahama is just dumb.

John dead goat thinks that the provision of universities will bring about job creation. Dead goat Mahama is just dumb.
lankwei 9 years ago

In theory they are right. I have always subscribed to their position.
IMHO it is somewhat late in the day to be able to do this. If you have been in the chew, pour pass mode in your life before university it is extremely dif ...
read full comment

In theory they are right. I have always subscribed to their position.
IMHO it is somewhat late in the day to be able to do this. If you have been in the chew, pour pass mode in your life before university it is extremely difficult to re-engineer their minds to run in the think mode.

The process should start at kindergarten and parents should understand the need for children to have opinions and express them, and not be castigated for doing so!
Kwetteh 9 years ago

They can't even express themselves in writing

They can't even express themselves in writing
John 9 years ago

Even common attachment/internship for a student to familiarize with industrial operations is very difficult to get. For 2 consecutive vacations now my daughter cannot get a place to do internship. Any where she goes they ...
read full comment

Even common attachment/internship for a student to familiarize with industrial operations is very difficult to get. For 2 consecutive vacations now my daughter cannot get a place to do internship. Any where she goes they say no.How do you expect these young ones to learn practicals.
lankwei 9 years ago

Why did they say no?

Why did they say no?
kofi adu 9 years ago

are you the addae-mensah in liman govt? then shut up.you were as loud but did nothing.your big parties brought rawlings,so what, we dont need you now.thanks.

are you the addae-mensah in liman govt? then shut up.you were as loud but did nothing.your big parties brought rawlings,so what, we dont need you now.thanks.
Divine Ninja 9 years ago

Sad that Ghanaian knowledge is so weak that it cannot solve societal problems. The real truth is due to poverty created by the ILLUMINATI network and their criminal politicians by slavery that make people of Ghana think short ...
read full comment

Sad that Ghanaian knowledge is so weak that it cannot solve societal problems. The real truth is due to poverty created by the ILLUMINATI network and their criminal politicians by slavery that make people of Ghana think short term with a struggle to look for quicker avenues to make a living or survive.

Economic growth and development depends on efficiency (Producing more at high quality and lowest possible cost). This means efficiency depends on productivity. Productivity also depends on creativity. Professional Creativity depends on effective or solid education with understanding and practical applications. Poverty is making the people look for ways to simply pass exam or go into areas to quickly get a get because there are no opportunities anywhere. The education in Ghana is aimed at looking for a job rather than creating something to solve societal problems which would eventually serve to create a job or opportunity for income.

It is sad and I pray for Ghana because, I cannot identify anyone who can transform Ghana or any of the 58 African nations into a developed nation, especially when the CIA says most Africans must be slaves to serve the ILLUMINATI.

Kojo Esuon 9 years ago

Many Ghanaians are confused about what goes on in a university. Universities are supposed to churn out broad minded people and not skilled people straight for the job markets. University graduates should be adaptable on accou ...
read full comment

Many Ghanaians are confused about what goes on in a university. Universities are supposed to churn out broad minded people and not skilled people straight for the job markets. University graduates should be adaptable on account of the discipline they acquire in school. They are to acquire skills training on the job.
sam 9 years ago

Today is one of the most miserable day in my life for a VC of a university to make such a primitive point. Really ? Our minds are train at the junior and senior high school and at that point those that are vocationally incli ...
read full comment

Today is one of the most miserable day in my life for a VC of a university to make such a primitive point. Really ? Our minds are train at the junior and senior high school and at that point those that are vocationally inclined are routed to that region.
Instead of this old time prof admitting the universities have failed us as a nation by refusing to collaborate with industry and prepare the minds of this young ones for the global competition he is still standing by the chew and pour mind set that has not helped the nation in anyway.
Ganiyu 9 years ago

Sam, you don't have to jump into any discussion that is outside your ken. Learn from those who know what they are talking about.

Sam, you don't have to jump into any discussion that is outside your ken. Learn from those who know what they are talking about.
Sankofa 9 years ago

The question is are we training the minds of our graduates?

Are they able to think outside the box and solve problems?

What sort of thinking graduates would expect to find work by going on a demonstration?

We must ri ...
read full comment

The question is are we training the minds of our graduates?

Are they able to think outside the box and solve problems?

What sort of thinking graduates would expect to find work by going on a demonstration?

We must rid ourselves of the 'chew,pour,pass' mentality and really teach our graduates to think critically and solve our nation's problems.
King 9 years ago

Wisdom prof but we also need massive technical training too to stay competitive in the global market.

Wisdom prof but we also need massive technical training too to stay competitive in the global market.
Philemon 9 years ago

Traditional universities are not technical universities. Technical universities are those responsible for producing skilled graduates.

Traditional universities are not technical universities. Technical universities are those responsible for producing skilled graduates.
Mefime 9 years ago

Such views are now outdated and discredited.

Such views are now outdated and discredited.
Biko 9 years ago

Retrain these lectures. They themselves were not trained right in our colleges. How do you expect them to train the students adequately. Is that how the western countries train their students to be thinking managers. In the w ...
read full comment

Retrain these lectures. They themselves were not trained right in our colleges. How do you expect them to train the students adequately. Is that how the western countries train their students to be thinking managers. In the west everybody works at the workplace. You don't sit in the office pretending to be thinking for others. They sit there and yell out, hey office boy go and make a photocopy for me. Hey office boy or is it messenger, bring me a cup of coffee. There is no office boy or messenger in the western workplace. You make your own photocopy and coffee. Thinking for who? Think for yourself.
OPANINPA 9 years ago

THE ACADEMICS ARE JUST MOUTHING WESTERN NOTIONS OF IDEALS OF UNIVERSITY. GHANAIAN UNIVERSITIED HAVE NOT ADAPTED TO LOCAL CONDITIONS; THEY ARE STILL STUCK IN THE COLONIAL MENTALITY -SUNIG FOREIGNTEXT BOOKS, FOREIGN CULLICULA E ...
read full comment

THE ACADEMICS ARE JUST MOUTHING WESTERN NOTIONS OF IDEALS OF UNIVERSITY. GHANAIAN UNIVERSITIED HAVE NOT ADAPTED TO LOCAL CONDITIONS; THEY ARE STILL STUCK IN THE COLONIAL MENTALITY -SUNIG FOREIGNTEXT BOOKS, FOREIGN CULLICULA ETC. OUR UNIVERSITIES ARE PROPAGANDA HOUSES FOR FOREIGN RELIGIONS - THEN DO NOT EVEN TEACH GHANAIAN RELIGIONS ON THE EXCUSE THAT THERE IS NO SUCH THING. THE TRUTH IS THEY LACK READY-MADE TEXTBOOKS . THEY ARE TOO LAZY TO RESEARCH AND WRITE ONE TO USE.
Ganiyu 9 years ago

You exemplify the very reason why Prof Addae Mensah is right. You definitely need structure in your thinking and a broader base of knowledge to even make a half way decent contribution to a mere internet forum.

You exemplify the very reason why Prof Addae Mensah is right. You definitely need structure in your thinking and a broader base of knowledge to even make a half way decent contribution to a mere internet forum.
Adjei 9 years ago

I believe this is the best assertion bon the the University Skills challenge so far and it is refresshing against the noisy background been generated against the universities. Thank God for giving us learned preofessors.
T ...
read full comment

I believe this is the best assertion bon the the University Skills challenge so far and it is refresshing against the noisy background been generated against the universities. Thank God for giving us learned preofessors.
The debate must continue. There are no absolute wrongs here though. It is only a growing desire to challenge our youth. The Ghana employers association and HR managers must be brought to this deate. I believe some HR/managers wait and have vacuum created by retirees leaving firms do not replace. Take a look at the recent Independence day BROCHURE GOOF. A lot of Graphic designers are produced by our universities yealy. 3 such graduates in every ministry will improve the BRAND GHANA AGENDA as well. We can go on and on. The recruitment os these graduates can create value immediately. ie their presence in firms can pay for itself.
Mama 9 years ago

But prof. what do we refer to as skill. lf you train somebody's mind, you are escensially acquiringthat student with communication skills, numeracy skills , team work etc etc. These are the skills industry wants. If these sk ...
read full comment

But prof. what do we refer to as skill. lf you train somebody's mind, you are escensially acquiringthat student with communication skills, numeracy skills , team work etc etc. These are the skills industry wants. If these skills are not taught properly then they can not be utilised properly. Universities in Ghana have to search and find out where they are lacking. lt is not true that graduates produced in the past years are the same as today's graduates. Far from it.

42 Comments

Welcome,

SIGN IN

Welcome,

RESET PASSWORD

Hello,

Terms and conditions

REGISTER

University not meant to produce skilled graduates – Addae-Mensah

Read Comments .st0{display:none;fill:#14BDD3;} .st1{display:none;} .st2{display:inline;fill:#FC0F0F;} .st3{display:inline;fill:#FFFFFF;} .st4{display:inline;fill:none;stroke:#000000;stroke-width:6;stroke-miterlimit:10;} Comments (42)

Read Comments Comments (42)