Abstract

Festus Adleman and Peter Agre

Unemployment problem is known to be a global phenomenon and governments over the world have been trying very hard to either eliminate this completely or reduce its effect on the economic development. In Ghana, the problem has become a playing field for several governments over the years. Many political parties have gained advantage by promising electorates during campaign periods of providing several jobs when they are given the nod to rule the country for the four year constitutionally mandated period. Unfortunately, however, the problem still persists after several years of constitutional rule and several loans “purportedly” pumped into the economy with the aim of generating more jobs. It seems to the ordinary Ghanaian, however, that the policy makers and implementers over the years have lost focus regarding any meaningful measure that could reduce the menace of unemployment in the country. Many observers and social commentators have been trying to suggest some drastic measures that could change the situation in the near future. Many have also complained about the quality of skills acquired by graduates from our Universities and the ability to apply same on the job. This article looked at the problem holistically, especially among the graduates, and suggested some practical and radical measures necessary to change the situation and hopefully reduce the effects of the problem on the economic development. The article looked at the current educational and skills training system and made analysis of whether new and drastic measures would help to change the persistence of the unemployment rate in the country in the near future