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Former President of Ghana John Kufuor offers some wise words for graduates

Former President John Kufuor has given some life advice for graduating students that we loved so much, we wanted to share with you here at Gradlink.

Kufuor is a retired politician who served as Ghanaian President from 2001 to 2009. At the heart of his politics, he had a vision of unlocking Ghana’s potential through investing in its citizens, encouraging entrepreneurship and embracing the inner inventor or creative type in us all. He sought to maintain peace and stability, and challenged social and economic issues by giving Ghanaians the opportunity to flourish. Given all this, it’s no wonder he is still held in such high esteem.

After such a long and successful career, it follows then that he should have some wise advice for those of us about to embark for the first time in the wide (and often a little bit scary) world. Speaking to MyJoyOnline, the former president urged graduates to be proactive, to think outside the box and to not rely on the government to give them jobs.

Kufuor delivered a speech at the “A Conversation on Leadership and the Future of Africa” event, wherein he urged Ghana’s youth to develop “a sense of enterprise” when it came to finding a solution to the graduate unemployment situation.

He also noted graduates’ reluctance to take jobs that aren’t based in an office, adding that whatever contribution they make, regardless of role, pay or position, will be valued and harness respect.

"If you are not doing something sooner or later you will begin to degenerate and lose your dignity so even as we know the office employment is getting scarce and scarcer," he commented.

He is not incorrect – anyone who has been out of work for a long period of time can attest to the detrimental effect it can have on an individual’s mental health and outlook.

Kufuor continued: “We’ve come to a point where people think when you finish school there is a job for you to be employed. We need to change our minds and become venturesome.

"You have finished, you are graduate, but if you do not get employment opportunities don’t sit and put your hands here like we say in traditional parlance. Find a way to keep afloat till when the employment comes along and this will mean a sense of enterprise."

Kufuor hopes that this entrepreneurial spirit will translate into new ideas, inventions and solutions.

Ghana, like much of Africa, is waiting on a technological precipice and it only needs driven and talented individuals to harness that potential and the country could see a new dawn rising.

For opportunities in Ghana and beyond, register with us today and you could be part of Africa’s tomorrow!