The challenge of unemployment and low-grade jobs among the youth remains a major concern for government and all stakeholders.

Every year, over 100 thousand young graduates from tertiary institutions join the already choked employment market.

Tertiary students awaiting to be employed into various sectors are being entreated to explore business opportunities for self-employment.

The youth unemployment rate in Ghana remained nearly unchanged at around 7.14 percent in 2022.

Unemployed youth bearing the brunt of high rate of unemployment raised concerns about the adequacy and suitability of education and training relative to the needs of the economy.

In view of this, embracing entrepreneurship as a student has been acknowledged as means to ensure personal growth, and financial independence. 

Chief Executive Officer of Serendipity Academy, Dr. Elvis Justice Bedi, urged the youth to consider taking up entrepreneurial activities during their academic journey.

“The youth have been depending so much on the government, it's high time they take decisions and try to do something for themselves like entering into a business in support of what the government is doing. That is the first step to curb unemployment in the country. As a medical student, I wanted to do something that would support my med school so I went into trading. And there has been some rough days. if there's someone out there who wants to do something different, I would advise the person to really know how to manage their time. Time management, being disciplined, and trust me, everything else will fall in place.

“The world is advancing, and we can't be living with the $60 per month payment. Get into something, learn a skill. You can't depend on the government. I was the only person trading at my time when there were about 232 students, and I was the only one that graduated learning a skill called forex. What happens to the 231 people? They are doctors and there are a lot of doctors in the system who are unemployed. it's about working smart. You have to start from somewhere, believe in yourself, it's possible,” he said. 

Elvis Bedi was speaking at the 'Learn to Earn 3.0' financial literacy training by the Secretary and Financial offices of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology Students' Representative Council.

The training themed: “Forex Mental Health and Psychology Awareness” aims to empower individuals with the technological knowledge and skills to manage their finances effectively. 

KNUST SRC General Secretary, Comfort Awuah, said the training will leave beneficiaries with financial skills to earn a living.

“We have always been preaching about students graduating from university and being outstanding. We had the idea of having a programme to educate and train students by giving them financial skills to be able to journey into the financial markets of forex trading.

“We have been inspired to have such a programme for the students of KNUST. They held on to it. They came around with their books and their pens to jot something down to be able to help them. I mean not just graduate with a certificate but then also graduate with skills and strategies on how one can earn,” she said.