The Ghana Union of Professional Students (GUPS) has organized a maiden national orientation, training, forum and mini congress for member institutions in Accra.
The event which was on the theme “achieving Ghana beyond aid, the role of Professional student with a renewed mindset” aimed at training and equipping professional students with employable skills towards reducing unemployment in the country.
The program was also purported to welcome ideas from young persons from the various professional institutions in the quest to attain Ghana beyond aid.
The GUPS President, Mr. Stephen Kwesi Acquah believes the step was taken to draw together professional students from different fields to deliberate on ways by which Ghana can achieve ambitious Ghana beyond aid initiative as well as secure jobs through renewed mindset.
He observed that the unemployment rate in the country is skyrocketing, therefore students should learn to change their mindsets by venturing into business.
Mr. Kwesi Acquah insisted that there are several jobs in Ghana, just that most students are interested in the public sector.
He said professional students should as much as possible put to practice the skills acquired from their various Universities in creating their own industries and not wait for the government.
Mr. Acquah called on students to appreciate the skills they have and occasionally try to improve them through advanced training events.
He also called on government to support professional students in the country so that together “the Ghana beyond aid” dream will be achieved.
Some of the participants who could not hide their joy, thanked the Union for such an initiative and still appealed for more training programs.
They say their major problem is how to obtain funding to aid them set up or cushion their budding businesses.
Speaking on the theme Madam Akosua Manu (Deputy CEO of NYA emphasized the need for the youth to take the Ghana Beyond Aid initiative very seriously by ensuring that their ideas are viable to the nation’s growth.
She believes that will help see to its full realization and actualization.
Dignitaries who graced the event include Dr. Asante ( CEO, Ghana Gas Company & Patron of GUPS), Mr Ofosu Nkansah ( CEO, Accra Digital Center), Dr Nyarko ( Technical Advisor, MoF ), Mr. Kwasi Obeng-Fosu (Ministry of Energy PRO) among others.
The three (3) days event climaxed with a football competition, talents display and other games.
By: Bayaga Fatawu