The known but untold story of the Ghanaian Graduate in search of Job.

When you ask a random young graduate job hunting what he/she would like to do, the likely answer you will get is “Any decent job that I can survive on”. Well, for many “senior citizens”, this answer may suggest as if the graduate has no knowledge of his or her worth or value in the job market or probably has no clear career path nor plan.  Sadly, these “senior citizens” probably have no idea the number of applications that have been written yet hardly secure a slot for interviews. They certainly have no clue about the number of interviews attended yet never hear from the employers. The number of hours spent on job portals trying to find job offers. They are probably not aware of the five to ten years of working experience being demanded of young graduates. They certainly have no idea about the number of job offers that young ladies have been denied for refusing sexual offers from prospective employers. Sadly, they do not know that to even secure internship offers as a graduate, someone may have to “hold your hands”. This is the sad story of the average Ghanaian graduate in search of a job.

If these graduates were asked of their career paths in basic schools some ten or twenty years ago, they would have given definite answers, such as dreams of becoming seasoned and accomplished journalists, politicians who will transform the fortunes of the country, academics who will grow and nurture the upcoming generation, health practitioners who will treat their patients with love and dignity, lawyers and judges who will ensure fairness and equity in the country,  development practitioners and social workers who will implement solution-oriented interventions to improve the livelihoods of the vulnerable, commercial farmers who will feed the country and beyond, clerics who will be responsible for moral and spiritual uprightness in the country. “When you dream, dream big! Big as the ocean for dreams come true”. These words probably informed the ambitions and dreams of many Ghanaians in their formative years. Growing up, the youth of Ghana had big and wild dreams. Dreams of changing the narrative in Ghana and the continent. Dreams of putting the country on the world map. Those days as kids, the youth didn’t need a “Joseph” to interpret these dreams for us. We were hopeful, optimistic and certain of an amazing and clear future. However, with the reality dawning on us, we probably need a “Joseph” to even determine if our dreams were actually valid dreams or hallucinations.  Growing up, we were told education is the key to success, now we keep on wondering if the padlock has been changed or we have been given the wrong keys.

The fundamental question that lingers on the mind of the average Ghanaian Youth is, should we even continue to dream of a better Ghana when the night is over and the day is staring at us in the faces? The dreams we had as children seem to have become a nightmare for many. The honest reality is that, we live in a country where securing a job after tertiary education is actually a miracle which calls for thanksgiving and sacrifices. We live in a country where the pressure on young female graduates to marry right after school appears to be exceedingly greater than the pressure on elected government functionaries to provide social and economic infrastructure. The reality of many graduates being underemployed and exploited by some employers due to the unavailability of jobs if luck shines on you with a job. These and many others are the realities facing the Ghanaian Youth.

Indeed, Most Ghanaian graduates seem to be at a crossroads and urgent steps must be taken to restore hope and confidence in them. If we are not fast about this, all the youth will seek asylum and greener pastures outside the country and we will have no abled men and women to lead us on the battlefield when the time is due.

It appears as though the world is crushing on the dreams of many youth. Rather interestingly, why will the dreams of these younger folks not become a nightmare when as a country we have not been able to collectively put up a “decent accommodation” where we can all sleep and dream peacefully? Have we for once thought of what binds us together as a country? What values are we proud of as a country in our quest to ensure a better Ghana? What unique trait identifies us as a people in our quest to put ourselves on the global map? What value does the average Ghanaian hold dear to his or her heart in nation-building? What legacy are we leaving for future generations? These and many other legitimate questions raise the fundamental issue if as a country, we have ever had a dream or vision for the youth.

Fellow Ghanaians, fellow countrymen and women, my brothers and sisters, It would have been ideal to have a national “dream”, what we can call the Ghanaian dream. A dream that can keep us awake to work our hearts out as a people. A dream that can bind us together irrespective of which part of the country one hails from. A dream that generations yet unborn will surely and gladly follow. Do we really need a Ghanaian dream when the dreams of many Ghanaian graduates appear to be shuttered? “How can the “passenger” (youth) arrive at his/her “destination” (dreams) when the “bus” (collectively as a country)  is not fit for the journey yet we keep on blaming and changing only the “drivers” (politicians) though they hold the steering wheel?”.

Admitting these realities facing the Ghanaian Youth, it is worth mentioning that, even though all is not rosy, all hope is not yet lost on the dreams of the Ghanaian Youth.  Over the past years, a lot of donor-funded Projects have specifically targeted youth employability and development aimed at offering employable and entrepreneurial skills to many. Governments on its side continue to initiate short-term and long-term interventions aimed at absorbing the youth and providing a platform for entrepreneurship. A number of successful adults continue to offer themselves to mentor the youth so as to help them make the right choices. A good number of the youth have defied all odds and progressing steadily in their career.   A number of influential men and women are working hard through their foundations to correct the ills of society and make the country a better place for us all particularly the youth.

Indeed we can dream of a better tomorrow as youth looking at these interventions and the zeal of our fellow compatriots.

How then can we make life bearable and help actualize the dream of the Ghanaian Youth?  In the past, successive governments have nurtured a dream of vision 2020, positive change, better Ghana and currently building a Ghana beyond Aid. These dreams have largely been associated with political parties and die when their tenure of office ends. Together let us work to build a country where anyone from anywhere can become somebody without having to necessarily know anybody. This must be the Ghanaian dream. This must be the call for action. And this will surely create a path of progress for the youth. This dream will surely offer opportunities to all without any fear or favour. It will urge the youth to strive harder and be assured of greatness.

To actualize this dream, we all need to come out of our shelves. The media must offer responsible, accurate and informed reportage. Academics must not only train students to pass exams but train the minds, conscience and imbibe a sense of nationalism in their students. Clerics must not hide under the cassock to seek their parochial interest. Bureaucrats must always be mindful of their call to public service and not private service. We need a high sense and spirit of patriotism.

And to the Political class, you have been vested with state power and resources to lead in the actualization of this dream. This is your duty to Mother Ghana. The charge is to create an enabling environment as you always say. Let this guide your conscience in every step you take.

Indeed, the youth of Ghana can dream. A dream backed by actions and not mere rhetoric. Let us soldier on.

Indeed, let us keep moving as young people, someday we will actualize this dream.

Surely, the heavens will smile at our efforts one day.

May God bless our homeland Ghana and make our nation great and strong.

Vincent Ohene-Ntow

YALI Dream

A Better Ghana

A Brighter Africa

 

Facebook; Kwame Ohene-Ntow

Email: vincentntow12@gmail.com

Personal Blog; mirrorofafrica.blogspot.com 

The writer is a Development Practitioner and a Local Government Enthusiast. He holds a Master’s degree in Development Policy and Planning from KNUST and a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Ghana Business School. He is an Alumnus of the Young African Leadership Initiative (YALI, RLC).

 

 

  

DEAR AFRICAN YOUTH, THE TIME IS NOW OR NEVER, LET'S MAKE THE MOVE

For the past few weeks, I have spent my mornings at work on a staircase leading to the office space. I see lots of children play around, read their books and explore the mangoes in the location. Looking at the energy these guys put in to get the mangoes and realizing I am not a lover of mango and  haven’t taken mango in the last 15 years, I only smile and say, this is the time for mangoes, let them enjoy. I have also used this time to critically ponder over my life and asked some very pertinent questions about my life, academics and career. The fundamental among all these thoughts are: Am I indeed making the best out of my career? Am I wasting lots of time on less important stuff? Am I progressing in my career? Am I making an impact in my line of work? Am I content with my career? Isn’t it time to make a move and take a bold decision? Looking at my ambitions, am I on the right path?

In the last two years, I have had friends, relatives and colleagues ask me some very fundamental questions as well. Even though I admit most are asked out of good faith, I know there are a few questions that are rhetorical and just for the fun but I continue to ponder over them peacefully. Let me share a few ones with you. “When are you starting your PhD? When are you joining main stream politics for those who know I am very interested in the politics and development of our country?  When will you join the “table of men” probably due to the fact I enjoy being the best man at weddings”. Colleagues and other mentors who are ardent readers of my writings and follow my blog continue to ask, “when are you publishing your first book?”, And for some mischievous reasons some friends, fellow disappointed seminarians, a few priests and some “mothers” and “uncles” from church,  always ask when I am going back to the seminary. Anytime, this question comes up, a dear colleague at work will smile and say, “these young Catholic men are never sure of their vocation and are always praying for discernment”…

Well, I probably haven’t been able to put a definite date to all these and not even sure if I can or even willing to pursue all these paths. Reflecting about them soberly, I continue to ask myself, if the time is right to make such a move. Admitting clearly, all the paths above are areas I have once desired or still desire. I sometimes think I need a little time to “grow” or probably achieve a height before making the move.

I am not sure my story is entirely different from many young Africans in their twenties and probably early thirties. We are confronted with lots of questions daily. Life continues to give us a reason to ask whether we are on the right path or not. For many of you, you may probably be thinking of when and how to get that academic degree you have always yearned for. Asking whether the time is right to marry or not? Thinking to offer yourself for that leadership position? Thinking of proposing or accepting that gent/ lady for a relationship? Asking whether it is time to switch your career? Asking whether your search for job offers are not enough. Asking when to do so many things. The obvious thing here is about the TIMING, is it the right time? Am I ready to take this bold decision now? What will happen if I try and fail? Will I get the support of family and colleagues to support me in this path?

Around the year, 2010 or 2011, my mother took myself and my siblings, I guess it was only my younger brother since my elder siblings were not around to visit our late maternal grandfather.  We had gone on weekends or vacations in Drobo where my Dad worked then. We went on a visit to my village, Atuna, a very sacred land, in the Jaman South Municipality, Bono Region of Ghana. The village is actually a walking distance to a border town to Ivory Coast. I have been told of how my parents, uncles and aunties sometimes walked to neighboring Ivorian communities for events. Probably, someday, we should go on an exploration to this holy city but let’s get the roads Minister and government to fix the road first.

Let’s get back to the main story, Well, I am not sure I had seen him prior to that visit in my adult life but I have heard lots of stories about him. I have been told how a disciplinarian he was, how tall he was, life at the barracks when he was in the army and then I was told how he seriously stammers but will always make his point even if it takes him an hour to construct a sentence. Of course, it’s obvious why stammering runs in the family. On getting to his house, my mum called him, “Paapa yaa- ba,” to wit, “Daddy, we are here” in a very typical bono language. Well, until that day, I didn’t know she could speak the very typical bono. It took the oldman about 15 seconds to respond clearly though I could hear him stammering and responding from the room. Finally the response came. And in about a minute, I saw a walking stick out of his room first and then an old, tall, fragile man came out.  What I noticed first was his broad smile and the moustache around his upper lip (Once a soldier, always a soldier).  

He sat down and had a chat with us. It was quite difficult hearing him due to his old age and probably because he seriously stammers and spoke the very typical bono not the adulterated ones we speak these days. Along the chat, he switched from my mother and focused on us (grandchildren). The first question he asked was, “mo nim me” to wit, “Do you know me?” we responded, “aane” meaning “yes, we know you”. He smiled and said, “monnim me na emom me din na mate” to wit, “you don’t really know me, you have only been told about me”. Well, the oldman was right, if I had met him somewhere alone, I probably may not have identified him as my grandfather. I guess this will be same with most of my cousins. He asked about school and he was delighted to know I was in the University then.

It was time for advice and I guess that was why he requested to see his grandchildren. He went back to his room and brought a picture of a tall young man in a uniform. He asked us to examine the picture critically and tell who that person was. After our fruitless guess, he told us that was him some 50 years ago in the army. I was awed and amazed. How can such a healthy looking soldier now look this old, fragile and even unable to walk properly unless with the aid of a walking stick. He noticed the surprise on our faces and with his broad smile, beautiful moustache and stammering uttered these words to us; “When I was your age, I was a very healthy soldier and could do anything I wished but look at me now, very old and unable to do so many things. Please make very good use of your youthful age. That is the stage to live your best and accomplish greatness”. He looked at us more closely and with his broad smile continued, “I have no cocoa farm that you can inherit from me but I was a disciplinarian and trained your mother well. I know you have been trained well too. I was very smart in school and know you will have a portion of my brain in your genes.  If you take your studies seriously, you will surely achieve greater heights. Never be interested in quick money, work hard and God himself will bless your efforts”… Wow, such wisdom!!!…. I am sure my cousins who might have visited him before his demise were told the same story. We left later in the day only to return to the holy city in August 2014 for his funeral (May his gentle soul continue to rest in perfect peace). Sadly, I didn’t take a picture with him but I guess he had this message not just for his grandchildren but for all of us especially the Youth. My maternal grandfather, “Nana JC” as we affectionately called him has these words for us all, “Make the best out of your youthful years”.

Fellow Youth, this is the time to make the best out of our youthful years. The time to take that academic degree you have so wished for is now. The time to start that side business you have always thought of is now. This is surely the time to give that young man/ woman a chance to start a journey of love. This is surely the time to pursue that career you have always wished for. This is surely the time to dare to challenge the world. This is the time to start telling your story. This is the time to take up that leadership position you had always wanted. This is surely the time to switch career if you have had enough at work. And hey, this is surely the time to be conscious of your spiritual and moral uprightness. Surely the time to take your Christian journey seriously. This is surely the time to write that exams you have always postponed. This is surely the time to visit the friend, mentor or relative you haven’t seen in a while. This is the time to forgive others. This is surely the time to make peace with yourself. This is surely the time to forgive yourself of past mistakes.  This is surely the time to start your political adventure. This is surely the time to love. This is surely the time to apologize for your mistakes. This is the time to get your priorities right. This is the time to learn that skill, time to focus about your mental health, time to learn to respect divergent opinions, time to come out of your insecurities and explore... This is surely the time to live your dream. Well, this is the time to start sharing your thought in writing with the world. And this is surely the time to flee from that abusive relationship and live your best.

When you see pictures of 80 year olds celebrating 50 years in marriage, know that, they probably made a bold decision just when they were your age to marry so, you can also make the move. When you attend the silver jubilee of priests and religious, know that, they were either ordained or took their first vow around your age now. When you read about the works of seasoned academics, politicians, journalists, diplomats, medical practitioners, lawyers, traders, farmers, social workers etc. know that they started their career just at this time of your life….

For the politically minded persons who want to take charge in the political future of their country yet unsure due to age, remember President Kufour first appointment as deputy minister for foreign affairs was when he was 31 years in 1969. Note Chairman Rawlings took charge of the country at age 32 and quite recently, the likes of very amazing young politicians like Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa who became a deputy minister at age 28/29.  The vociferous Sammy Gyamfi who took over the communication bureau of the NDC when he was less than 30 years. Sammi Awuku, Hon. Samuel Abu Jinapor, Hon. Felix Kwakye Fosu among many others who have demonstrated competence in the political field at a relatively younger age. These personalities have paved the way….. Never allow yourself to be intimidated due to your age. Get in, shine and help us make Ghana and Africa better.

Start the journey and you will be amazed how beautiful it will turn out to be. And when the going gets tough, soberly reflect on this song, “It will be hard we know and the road will be muddy and rough yet we will get there, Heaven knows where we are going, we know we will”. Not sure I got the lyrics right though….

A former classmate and a very good friend of mine who is a catholic priest from the diocese of Techiman in my last recollection at the grotto shared with me a topic called SEASONS. He indicated that, there are four stages/ seasons in life i.e. Morning, afternoon, evening and resting stage. The second stage which is the afternoon stage is the execution stage which spans from 26 to 59years largely. That is the stage you need to give to the world, walk in the fullness of your purpose, implement your ideas and make an impact in your society and the lives of people you encounter. We will talk about the other stages some other time but know that, this is surely the time for EXECUTION fellow youth.

In conclusion, as you contemplate to make the bold decision, remember, you are never too old to live your dreams and Everyday provides a perfect opportunity to make things right. For us Christians who believe in the omnipotence of God, remember to align yourself with God’s plan and divinity as a good friend of mine will always say, “Heaven indeed has the perfect plan”.

Cheers to Greatness…

Let’s begin the journey to greatness with love

Let Passion, Hard work, Determination (PHD) be our guide.

And hey, 10 years from now, you would have made ten years of progress or will have 10 years of excuses of why you never made the move. The choice is yours…Let’s make the move.

Vincent Ohene-Ntow

YALI Dream

A Better Ghana

A Brighter Africa

 

Facebook; Kwame Ohene-Ntow

Email: vincentntow12@gmail.com

Personal Blog; mirrorofafrica.blogspot.com 

The writer is a Development Practitioner and a Local Government Enthusiast. He holds a Master’s degree in Development Policy and Planning from KNUST and a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Ghana Business School. He is an Alumnus of the Young African Leadership Initiative (YALI, RLC).

 

GHANA AT 65- ENJOYING HER RETIREMENT OR STRUGGLING TO MAKE ENDS MEET? The reflection of a Ghanaian Youth

Hurray!!! Ghana is 65, can we all joyfully sing a birthday song for Ghana? Five years after retiring if Ghana was a “Ghanaian”. Is Ghana proud of the successes chalked while in active service or is Ghana retiring home to the village to fight for a room in the family house and struggle over family properties? Big Brother Ghana at her age should be a great counselor and mentor to many young African countries after living “independently” for 65 solid years yet our dear country is now animal hunting with the young boys in the farm else there will be no food on the table….. What an accomplishment!!!

“We are a nation of sheep and someone else owns the grass”- George Carlin. This quote probably is the exact description of the current state we find ourselves as a country after gaining political independence. A “flock” probably without a “Good Shepherd”! Hungry and desperate “sheep” yet we have no “grass” and even with the little available, only a select, chosen and privileged few have access to it.  Politically liberated “sheep” from the “cage” yet we can’t seem to find “grass” to eat unless we go back to the “cage” for which we fought fearlessly to leave. A flock of “sheep” wandering around at the direction and mercy of the wind… Kwame Nkrumah’s Ghana??

65 years and proud of ourselves I guess…..Proud of physical brutalities in our legislative house? Proud of political intolerance? Proud of industrial strikes? Proud of its many political and juicy campaign promises? Proud of only delivering economic sermons on how to manage the economy? Proud of losing lives and properties to flood every year? Proud of the cedi breaking jail even after the Vice President personally handed the key to the IGP? Proud of fuel prices breaking the “eight”? Proud of trying to impose the e-levy at all cost? Proud of rising youth unemployment? Proud of our NABCO trainees who haven’t been paid for months? Proud of our quest to digitalize yet we still have to queue and spend several hours to get our NIA cards? Proud of data harmonization yet after registering for our Ghana card, we still have to physically visit offices of telecommunication  and SSNIT to merge our data in the midst of covid?  Proud of our country where fraud (“sister nie oo London” among others) is becoming the means of survival?

Today as Ghana celebrates its 65^th independence, I share this piece as a young Ghanaian. I write this as a son of the country hoping to have been enjoying the fruits and labor of my dear mother Ghana by now. I write joining and asking my age mates and fellow youth if we can even afford a birthday party for our 65 year old mother Ghana.  I ask my fellow youth to go into the boxes and wardrobes of our dear mother Ghana and see her belongings if we are proud of them. I ask our leaders if this is the best they can offer.  I ask our forefathers if this is indeed the country they envisaged for us. I ask Ghanaian workers if they are content with the wage bill. I ask consumers of our utility if they are proud of the services being offered. I ask government communicators if they can continue to defend everything and anything the government introduces. I ask government functionaries if they are proud of their accomplishments. I ask opposition political parties what they would have done differently if they had the opportunity. I ask other politicians if they will continue to paint the government black at all times….. And then finally, I ask the Ghanaian voter if they have ever been proud of the ballot cast?

6^th March presents us with a golden opportunity to have a national discourse about the future of Ghana. A great opportunity to do a self-introspection of our journey as an independent country. But the sad reality is that, social media and the traditional media have always focused on trivial issues such as plagiarized speeches of Presidents, whether Presidents exchange warm handshake with former Presidents or not, the costume, facial make ups and fashion of our first and second ladies among others.

Today, I humbly appeal to us all as a nation to change the narrative and focus on our progress as a country. Let us have an honest discussion of our socio- economic and political status as a country. Let us talk about the future we are building for our youth. Let us talk about the quality of students we are producing. Let us talk about the role of academia and media in economic liberation. Let us talk about the abuse of power and office. Let us talk about our farm produce that get rotten in the farms due to poor roads. Let us talk about communities in Ghana with no access to education, electricity, potable water among others. Let us talk about our university students of whom, a good number have no clue on what the future holds for them. Let us talk about the labor force leaving the shores of the land to secure greener pastures. Let us indeed talk about the abuse some women are being subjected to due to culture and religion. And most importantly, let us talk about our identity and values as a people.

Fellow Ghanaians, My brothers and sisters, Fellow country men and women. Indeed Ghana as a country has come a long way. Let us not overlook our successes we have chalked as a country. However, let us not be in denial of the real and hard truth facing our country today. Ghana has enjoyed a relatively stable democracy, some good investments in infrastructure, some social interventions in education and health among others. These are gains we should be proud of but we should not be deceived that all is rosy and glamourous.  

For Policy and Development practitioners, what happened to vision 2020 by Chairman Rawlings? Ghana Poverty Reduction Strategy I, Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy II by President Kuffour? Ghana Shared Growth and Development Agenda I and II by Prof. Mills and President Mahama and now what is happening to the famous Ghana beyond Aid by President Akuffo-Addo … I call on development practitioners, academics, politicians, bureaucrats, Civil Society Organizations, Media among others to critically review these policy frameworks/ visions, consolidate our findings and then charter a clearer path for our nation. Let this new path be the Ghana dream. Let us think and start developing a dream for mother Ghana. A dream that will inform policies and plans.  A dream that will not die with an Individual. A dream that will not exit with the ruling government.

Indeed, as I write this piece, I still have lots of hope in our potential as a country to change the narrative. This is indeed the time where research publications by academics should not be left to rot. This is indeed the time where political actors especially the Executive and Parliament must take the opportunity of a hung parliament given by Ghanaians to work together in the interest of mother Ghana. This is surely the time, to cut down on the luxury and extravagant lifestyle of the ruling class. This is surely the time to have a national discourse about a plan and vision for Ghana. This is indeed the time to celebrate success and not mediocrity. This is surely a time to forge ahead as a people irrespective of one’s political or cultural affiliation.

To the political and ruling class, this is indeed the time to think about the people for whom power, authority and resources have been entrusted in your care.

May God bless our dear country and make our nation great and strong.

 

Vincent Ohene-Ntow

YALI Dream

A Better Ghana

A Brighter Africa

 

Facebook; Kwame Ohene-Ntow

Email: vincentntow12@gmail.com

Personal Blog; mirrorofafrica.blogspot.com 

The writer is a Development Practitioner and a Local Government Enthusiast. He holds a Master’s degree in Development Policy and Planning from KNUST and a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Ghana Business School. He is an Alumnus of the Young African Leadership Initiative (YALI, RLC).