From Classroom to Job Market: The Gap That Still Exists

By Nomako

Cape Coast, Ghana — When 25-year-old Joseph Owusu graduated with a degree in business administration, he was filled with pride — and high hopes.

“I thought I’d be in a corporate office by now,” he says, seated behind a kiosk where he currently sells airtime and soft drinks. “It’s been 18 months and not one job offer. I’ve applied to over 90 places.”

Joseph’s story is all too familiar across Ghana: graduates armed with certificates, ambition, and mounting pressure — but facing a job market that doesn’t seem to need them.

Despite national efforts to promote education, the pipeline between universities and employment remains broken. Experts call it the education-to-employment gap — a deep disconnect between what students are taught and what employers actually require.

Degrees, But No Demand

Each year, tens of thousands of students graduate from Ghanaian universities, yet graduate unemployment remains stubbornly high. In a 2022 survey by the Ghana Statistical Service, more than 30% of recent graduates were still jobless a year after school.

“There is an oversupply of theoretical knowledge and an undersupply of marketable skills,” explains Prof. Aba Gyamfi, a labour economist. “Many university programs do not align with today’s job market.”

Courses in engineering, agriculture, and science often lack practical lab time, while business and humanities degrees sometimes fail to teach basic digital or problem-solving skills.

Employers Speak Out

Employers aren’t shy about the issue.

“Fresh graduates look great on paper,” says Bernice Adjei, HR manager for a local fintech firm. “But when we interview them, they struggle with critical thinking, basic Excel functions, or even professional communication.”

A report by the Ghana Employers’ Association found that nearly 70% of employers believed graduates lacked “work readiness.”

This disconnect leads many companies to favor experience over education — perpetuating a cycle where fresh graduates can’t get jobs because they don’t already have one.

Internships: A Missed Opportunity?

One proposed solution is stronger internship and industrial training programs. But students say these are either nonexistent, poorly structured, or exploitative.

“I did an internship at a big firm,” recalls Sandra Boateng, a recent sociology graduate. “They made me serve tea and sort files. I learned nothing.”

Others say internships are often unpaid, forcing low-income students to skip them altogether — further widening the opportunity gap.

Soft Skills Matter

Beyond hard skills, many graduates are unfamiliar with workplace etiquette, collaboration, and emotional intelligence.

“Knowing how to work in teams, accept feedback, or adapt to change — these are not taught in lecture halls,” says career coach Kojo Asamoah.

His NGO, Bridge to Work, trains unemployed youth in such soft skills — and has helped over 200 secure entry-level positions.

Public Sector Dreams vs. Private Sector Reality

Many graduates pin their hopes on public sector employment, perceived as stable and prestigious. But public service jobs are limited — and highly competitive.

“I’ve written the Civil Service entrance exam twice,” says Joseph. “Each time, I was told to wait. I’m still waiting.”

Meanwhile, the private sector demands agility, digital literacy, and entrepreneurial thinking — traits that often go untested in Ghana’s examination-heavy education system.

Curriculum Reforms Underway?

The Ministry of Education has acknowledged the mismatch and introduced initiatives such as:

Curriculum reform at secondary and tertiary levels
TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) promotion
The Ghana Jobs and Skills Project, funded by the World Bank, to enhance employability training

But implementation is uneven, and impact has yet to be felt at scale.

Bridging the Gap: Promising Approaches

Several organizations are stepping in to fill the gap:

Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology (MEST) – Offers training in software development and business.
Jobberman Ghana – Connects employers with jobseekers and runs employability programs.
iSpace Ghana – Supports digital startups with incubator training for recent graduates.
Tertiary institutions like Ashesi University – Embed leadership, ethics, and real-world projects into academic programs.

“These institutions are showing what’s possible,” says Prof. Gyamfi. “But we need the public system to follow suit.”

The Emotional Toll on Graduates

For many, the wait for employment brings more than just financial hardship — it erodes confidence and mental well-being.

“I feel useless sometimes,” Joseph confesses. “My friends think I’m lazy, but I’m trying everything.”

Psychologists report growing levels of depression and anxiety among job-seeking youth, often compounded by pressure from family and society.

Rethinking Success

In response, some young people are reimagining success on their own terms — starting businesses, freelancing, or reskilling online.

“I didn’t get the job I studied for,” says Sandra. “But I learned digital marketing and now run campaigns for small businesses. I earn more than some bank staff.”

Still, she believes universities should adapt faster. “We can’t keep producing jobseekers in a world that rewards job creators.”

Final Thought

The path from classroom to job market in Ghana is not a straight line — it’s a minefield of outdated curriculums, misaligned expectations, and limited opportunity.

Until education and employment systems communicate better, young people like Joseph will remain stuck in a waiting room — full of potential, but unsure of where to go next.