Board Chairman of the National Youth Authority (NYA), Julian M. Cobbina, has encouraged students to actively nurture their talents and acquire relevant skills in addition to their academic studies to increase their chances of employment after graduation.
He made these remarks at the grand durbar of the 2025 Lasa Week celebration of the Department of Archaeology at the University of Ghana. The event, held on July 15 under the theme “Beyond the Degree: Empowering Archaeology Students with Multi-Skills for Development,” focused on bridging the gap between academic knowledge and employability.
Mr. Cobbina emphasised the competitive nature of the job market and urged students to find ways to stand out through competencies and unique abilities.
“Unemployment is a big issue out there; it’s not a joke,” he said. “It’s a reality that you are going to face. Opportunities are bound. Anytime you hear there are no jobs, there are jobs. What is in scarce demand is talent and competencies. When you have talent and competencies, you will find a job.”
He further challenged students to ask themselves how they will differentiate themselves from peers at other universities, such as KNUST and UPSA, when competing for limited job opportunities.
“The question that should be on your mind is how you will differentiate yourself from your classmates in KNUST and UPSA to get a job that is out there seeking the right talent,” he said.
Mr. Cobbina also criticised the over-reliance on technology and last-minute learning habits among students, citing the need for more intentional and practical learning.
“In our universities in Ghana, we are doing a lot of learning and less knowledge in skills development,” he mentioned. “What can you do extra beyond what you’re doing? You use ChatGPT for your assignments, and the only time you sit down to learn is when there’s an end-of-semester examination.”
The address formed part of a broader conversation on student empowerment and preparing graduates to thrive in a rapidly evolving job market.
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Story by Mabel Antwi | univers.ug.edu.gh
Edited by Kelvin B. Annor-Yeboah
