The Managing Director of GBfoods, Mr. David Afflu, has expressed deep concern over a growing trend among tertiary students and graduates who focus primarily on mastering theoretical concepts solely to pass exams.
Mr. Afflu made these remarks at the 10th anniversary celebration of the International Conference on Business Management and Entrepreneurial Development (ICBMED), held at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), on April 29. Themed “A Decade of Progress: Bridging Academia and Industry for Business Resilience in Emerging Economies,” the event highlighted the disconnect between academic training and industry expectations.
He warned that this exam-focused approach is leaving many students ill-prepared for real-world work environments, particularly in basic digital literacy.
“We’ve observed a significant mismatch; interns and fresh graduates often struggle with basic tools like Microsoft Office. When you apply for an internship, national service, or a full-time role in a multinational company, there’s an assumption that you already possess these foundational skills. Sadly, that’s not the case.”
Mr. Afflu emphasized the importance of critical thinking in the modern workplace, pointing out that many young graduates struggle with data analysis and the ability to draw meaningful connections from diverse information sources.
“Critical thinking is essential. Today’s graduates must be able to interpret data, connect the dots, and derive insights from seemingly unrelated information. Unfortunately, that ability is lacking in many young professionals.”
Also speaking at the conference, the Deputy Director General of the Ghana Education Service, Prof. Smile Dzisi, urged academic institutions to move beyond theory-heavy instruction. She advocated for curricula that are practical, innovative, and responsive to the changing demands of the job market.
“We need to embed innovation and critical thinking modules in our curriculum. Graduates shouldn’t leave school waiting to be told what to do; they should be proactive and take initiative. Our curriculum must be continuously reviewed to remain relevant.”
The ICBMED conference aims to bridge the gap between academia and industry by encouraging a balanced approach to education—one that blends theoretical knowledge with hands-on experience to build resilience in emerging economies.
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Story by: Wonder Mansah Agbengu | univers.ug.edu.gh
Edited by: Wahab Abdul Razak
