Encourage skills development for Ghana’s youth – Ohene Addo urges Corporate Ghana

In a bid to empower Ghana’s young workforce and bolster their competitiveness in the job market, Mr. Ohene Addo, the Operations Manager of Meridian Port Services (MPS), recently shared valuable insights at the second graduation ceremony of Heavy-Duty Equipment Operators in the West and Central African sub-region.

The event, held at the Regional Maritime University in Accra, emphasized the importance of practical, marketable skills and a positive attitude for the country’s ambitious youth.

Mr. Addo’s advice resonated with the graduates, as he stressed the significance of gaining on-the-job experience and continuous learning beyond their academic pursuits. He encouraged them to embrace opportunities like internships and not fear making mistakes, emphasizing the value of learning from peers.

Additionally, Mr. Addo called on corporate Ghana to contribute to the development of young talent by focusing on skills that meet market demands, urging firms to prioritize youth development as part of their corporate social responsibility.

Highlighting the need for a diverse skill set, Mr. Addo drew on an example from the construction of the MPS terminal, where local workers with multiple abilities excelled over specialized Chinese counterparts in terms of productivity and wages.

He further advised the graduates to avoid idle social media use and consider every task as an opportunity for skills development.

Furthermore, Mr. Addo announced upcoming maritime internships and certification opportunities at MPS, providing students with the chance to gain hands-on experience, a vital asset in the competitive job market, he opined.

In a similar vein, Mr. Dominic Kofi Eyiah, the President of the National Association for Heavy-Duty Equipment Operators Ghana (NAHEOG), highlighted the pivotal role that corporate organizations play in equipping Ghana’s youth with employable skills. He stressed that youth represent the future with their energy and fresh perspectives but cautioned that without proper skills, they may struggle in today’s evolving job market.

Mr. Eyiah called on corporations to offer internships, apprenticeships, and mentoring to provide invaluable hands-on experience for the youth. He believes that through a positive work ethic and embracing corporate culture, young individuals can effectively showcase their skills, allowing firms to assess their potential as candidates.

Mr. Eyiah also advocated for corporations to set an example by demonstrating integrity, diversity, and social responsibility, thus serving as role models for the youth.

The graduation ceremony marked the successful completion of training for the second batch of 43 males and 2 female trainees in crane and forklift operations.

The nest group of trainees for the Forklift and crane operator training resumes on the 3rd of November,2023 as management of RMU and NAHEOG urge the public to take advantage of the training and enroll.

The program was made possible through a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Regional Maritime University (RMU) and the National Association for Heavy-Duty Operators of Ghana, further strengthening the commitment to enhancing the employability of Ghana’s youth.

 

BY: Mabel Delassie Awuku – INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT