Correspondence from Ashanti Region

Emmanuel Suuk, President of the National Service Personnel Association (NASPA) for Kwabre East in the Ashanti Region, has underscored the urgent need for Ghanaian graduates to acquire practical skills to address rising unemployment.

Suuk noted a common challenge, stressing that while many citizens call for government and private sector investment in industries, graduates often lack the necessary skills to take advantage of the opportunities created.

"We wish for industries and businesses to be established by the government and other authorities. But when those industries are established, we need skilled people. The question is, how many graduates in Ghana have the skills to qualify for those jobs?" he asked.

He argued that large-scale skills development is crucial, not only for attracting investment but also for enabling Ghana to expand exports. "We need people who have the skills and can do the work—people who qualify for available industry services. It’s time we focused more on practical skills instead of solely relying on theories. The system is choked, and there’s going to be a high demand for skilled personnel. How many graduates have those skills?"

Suuk made these remarks during a free entrepreneurship training programme organised by NASPA for service personnel and community members in Kwabre East.

The training covered in-demand skills such as DSTV installation, liquid soap production, and the making of scented soaps popularly called “powerzone.” Explaining the programme, Suuk said: “We are teaching people how to install DSTV, as well as how to make liquid soap and washing soaps. National Service Personnel work within communities, and whatever skills we acquire, we also want to share with the communities we serve.”

He stressed that the initiative was designed to shift focus away from solely academic credentials toward recognising the value of practical, income-generating skills. “It shouldn’t always be about saying ‘I’m a doctor, I’m a nurse, I want to join the military.’ It should also be about skills-oriented programmes. Employers don’t care about your first class or second class—it’s the skills that matter,” he emphasised.

The initiative was funded primarily by the director of the National Service Scheme (NSS) in Kwabre East, Mayor Atta Siaw, with additional support from the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Joseph Amankwah Nurudeen. Suuk also noted that a recent clean-up exercise in Kenyasi, the gateway to Kwabre East, was a joint effort by the Municipal Assembly, NSS, and NASPA.

MCE Nurudeen, who visited the training venue, expressed satisfaction with the high turnout and participation. He explained that the government remains committed to equipping citizens with employable skills to reduce poverty and unemployment.

"It is beneficial to acquire additional skills, even if you are already employed, in order to improve your financial stability. The John Dramani Mahama-led government is committed to improving the well-being of Ghanaians, and that’s why we will continue to establish and support initiatives like these," he said.

He pledged the government’s continued support for NASPA initiatives in the municipality, while NSS Director Atta Siaw assured that the authority would sustain the programme and extend assistance to other NASPA groups undertaking similar projects.