Degrees don’t equal competence – Koranteng Pipim

Samuel Koranteng Pipim, the Executive Director of EAGLESonline, highlighted a major flaw in Ghana’s education system. He stated that degrees do not guarantee competence.

During a public lecture at the University of Education, Winneba on April 11, he emphasized that graduates are not prepared for today’s workforce. There is a significant gap between academic teachings and industry needs.

"Degrees don’t equal competence," Pipim said. He cited data showing that 40% of employers believe graduates lack critical problem-solving skills. This information comes from a 2022 study by the International Data Science Association (IDSA).

Pipim questioned the value of degrees that do not equip individuals for real-world challenges. He asked, “What good is a first-class degree if it leads to a third-class life?”

He believes the education system trains people for poverty instead of prosperity. It fails to encourage the entrepreneurial spirit needed for economic growth.

Mr. Pipim criticized the emphasis on academic qualifications over practical skills. He lamented that this focus rewards "paper over productivity."

This narrow view has led to more job seekers than job creators in Ghana. "We produce job seekers, not job creators," he stated.

He also noted how the obsession with white-collar jobs stifles creativity among young people.

"The system rewards conformity to the ‘white-collar job’ ideal," Pipim explained. This mentality makes many young people see entrepreneurship as a last resort rather than an opportunity.

Ultimately, he believes this undermines Ghana’s ability to generate its own wealth.