The University of Ghana’s Public Administration Students Association (PASAL) hosted an insightful forum dubbed ‘Public Administration Expert’ at the RS Amegashie Auditorium at the University of Ghana Business School.
The event aimed to address challenges in public administration, entrepreneurship, graduation requirements, and life after graduation. This discussion was part of PASAL’s week-long celebration, which began on Monday, June 10th, with activities such as awareness creation and stakeholder engagement.
Lecturer in the Department of Public Administration and Head of Student Academic Affairs at the University of Ghana Business School, Dr. Daniel Appiah, who was speaking at the forum emphasized the crucial role that public administration plays in facilitating private sector business and economic growth.
He stressed that understanding the public sector’s importance is essential for success in both public and private sectors.
“There is no private sector organization or business that was established without being given the license to operate by the public sector. There is no private-sector business that can thrive in this country without support from the public sector.”
“As you are preparing yourself for a job in the private sector of business or preparing yourself for a job in the public sector of business, it is very important for you to understand how the public sector facilitates economic growth, business development, and then human development.”
Graduates are set apart in the job market through the unique skills they possess, Dr. Appiah remarked.
“But when you finish and you go out there, yes, you have done the degree. Many students also have similar degree programs. What is it that makes you outstanding? We have given you what it takes to excel. So don’t finish and then come in and tell us, we train you to work in the public sector.”
“Then why did you use accounting and the business policy and then public sector management, public administration in terms of its facilitative role for private businesses? Why did you use it to do?”
Citing a Global Skills Report, which ranked Ghana 104th out of 109 countries in preparing youth for the workforce, he urged students to take advantage of online courses on platforms like Coursera to acquire additional skills and enhance their employability.
“Just today, I received a report that has been released by Global Skills Report. So globally, how are countries preparing their youth for the future? Out of 109 countries, Ghana placed 104.”
“And they take the data from Coursera. They look at the kind of programs and skills that students out there are taking. And within the entire university, or even at the business school, I don’t know of any other lecturer maybe who allows students to say, go and take up a career-oriented course and I’ll give you 20 free marks. But of course, I do it for levels 300 and 400.”
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Story by: Jennifer Loman | univers.ug.edu.gh
