Degrees Alone No Longer Enough: Deputy Chief of Staff Urges Students to Pursue Professional Certification, ACCRA – Nana Oye Bampoe Addo, the Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Administration, has challenged Ghanaian students to look beyond academic degrees and acquire professional certifications to remain competitive in an increasingly saturated job market.
Speaking at a career seminar organized by the Ghana Communication Technology University (GCTU), Ms. Addo emphasized that the modern workplace is undergoing a rapid technological revolution that demands more than traditional classroom learning.
The Saturated Job Market Addressing students, alumni, and faculty, the Deputy Chief of Staff noted that while a degree is a foundation, it is no longer a guarantee of employment. “The job market is saturated,” she cautioned. “Your capacity must keep pace with the technological changes and the artificial intelligence (AI) revolution reshaping every profession globally.”
The seminar, themed “The Role of Professional Bodies in Professional and Career Growth,” served as a platform to bridge the gap between academic theory and the practical realities of the global economy.
Strategic Partnerships for Growth Ms. Addo highlighted professional bodies—such as those for lawyers, marketers, and procurement experts—as strategic partners in a professional’s lifelong journey. She noted that these organizations provide the mentorship, ethical standards, and global networks necessary for career advancement.
She also pointed to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a massive opportunity for young Ghanaians. With the AfCFTA headquarters based in Accra, she urged students to prepare themselves to tap into the $500 billion pan-African market.
Bridging Academia and Industry Prof. Ebenezer Malcalm, Acting Pro-Vice Chancellor of GCTU, and Prof. George Oppong Amponsah, Dean of the GCTU Business School, both echoed these sentiments. They stated that the university’s current focus is a “paradigm shift” designed to marry academic studies with professional practice, ensuring graduates are ready to hit the ground running.
The seminar concluded with a call for students to view professional certification not as an extra burden, but as one of the smartest investments they can make for their future careers.
Credit: Ghanaian Times
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