UNIVERSITIES URGED TO INCORPORATE INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAMS INTO CURRICULUM.

The Vice Chancellor of Garden City University in the Ashanti Region, Professor Eric Kwasi Ofori, has urged universities in Ghana to incorporate innovation and entrepreneurship programs into their curriculum to improve the lives of students.

He indicated that one of the major problems causing unemployment in Ghana now is universities teaching students only theories.

According to him, every year, universities in Ghana graduate a large number of students without equipping them with the innovation and entrepreneurship skills necessary to start their own ventures and earn an income while waiting for other job opportunities after graduation.

“Ghana’s unemployment rate would have reduced drastically if the various universities in the country had embraced this strategy and included artisanal training in their academics for the students to become self-reliant after successfully graduating from the institution,” he mentioned.

Professor Kwasi Ofori made these remarks when the management of the Garden City University paid a courtesy call on Okyenhene Osagyefuo Amotia Ofori Panin on Friday, July 31, 2026, at Ofori Panin Fie, Kyebi in the Eastern Region.

The visit was to thank him for honoring his invitation during his investiture as the Vice Chancellor of the University at Kenyase-Kumasi.

He expressed that the government alone cannot employ thousands of students who graduate every year, which is why Garden City University recognized the need to incorporate innovation and entrepreneurship programs into their curriculum, enabling students to create jobs for themselves after graduation.

On the other hand, he expressed worry over 3,000 students who registered for the 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) but were absent.

Prof. Eric Ofori mentioned that the BECE is the gateway to Senior High School.

“At least every Ghanaian child should have an SHS certificate to give them exposure to compete with their colleagues, even if they couldn’t pursue their education to the tertiary level, but to terminate BECE is uncalled for,” he noted.

He believes the Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, should set up a committee to investigate and determine why these children were unable to participate in the exams, as it is the foundation of their lives.