Tertiary graduate unemployment hits 22% as UESD rolls out innovation hub

Correspondence from Eastern Region

The University of Environment and Sustainable Development (UESD) has officially launched its Innovation and Incubation Hub, a strategic initiative aimed at promoting entrepreneurship and sustainable development while tackling graduate unemployment in Ghana.

To drive this crucial initiative, the university has appointed Dr. Kwaku Adu, a Lecturer in the Department of Applied Economics, as the Hub's inaugural Coordinator.

In this role, Dr. Adu will provide strategic academic leadership, build vital industry partnerships, and mobilize resources for cutting-edge research and innovation projects.

He will be supported by a dedicated team comprising Cynthia Oduro Ameyaa as Hub Manager, Ohene Kwasi Tuffuor as Administrator and Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Officer, and Kingsley Adomako as Administrative Support Staff, responsible for clerical and operational duties.

According to UESD, these appointments are designed to ensure the smooth operation of the Hub and the achievement of its objectives.

The launch of the Hub comes at a critical time, as Ghana continues to grapple with high unemployment. National figures show that the unemployment rate surged to 14.7 percent in the first quarter of 2023.

Data from the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) further revealed that, in the first three quarters of 2023, about 22.3 percent (4,565) of unemployed individuals had completed tertiary education, while 48.8 percent (9,987) had completed secondary education.

UESD explained that the Hub is central to its vision of addressing the unemployment challenge directly. By nurturing innovation and empowering students to establish businesses and enterprises, the university seeks to create a pipeline of job creators rather than job seekers.

The Hub will also focus on building strong industry partnerships to enhance the employability of students within the environmental and sustainability ecosystem.

“These roles collectively contribute to the achievement of the Hub’s objectives by fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable development within and beyond UESD,” a statement from the University said, reaffirming its commitment to equipping graduates with the skills and opportunities needed for a thriving future.

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