UGCCC Hosts Career Week

Taking inspiration from the saying, ‘opportunities don’t happen, you create them’, the University of Ghana Careers and Counselling Centre (UGCCC) has held its annual Career Week under the theme, 'Curbing youth unemployment in Ghana; the role of Entrepreneurship'.

The event was opened with a Career Forum and a panel discussion which sought to answer prevalent questions associated with young people venturing into entrepreneurship. Panelists included Prof. Justice Bawole, Dean of University of Ghana Business School (UGBS); Madam Irene Sackey, a representative from Tiast Group Ghana; Mr. Moses Atobrah, CEO of Debbie's Cosmetics; Mr. Richmond Asumadu, CEO of Brich Computers and Mr. Kojo Ohene Djan, Deputy Executive Director in charge of Operations of the National Service Scheme.

In brief remarks, the Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs (ASA), Prof. Gordon Awandare who is also the Chairman of the Advisory Board for the Careers and Counselling Centre, encouraged industry to create opportunities to engage with students as a way of preparing them for the world of work. He was hopeful that such interactions could prepare students to become either entrepreneurs or employees. He commended UGCCC for running such career development related programmes.

During discussions, Prof. Justice Bawole seized the opportunity to inform students about the existing Entrepreneurship Hub and Boot Camp at UGBS which readily offers support to viable businesses by groups of students. He also mentioned that individual students with business ideas could also be given the opportunity to join groups with similar interests.

The other panelists took turns to share their personal experiences as entrepreneurs and encouraged students to consider following their examples. They exposed students to available support and ways of rising above challenges they are likely to face.

Over the years, UGCCC has held Career Weeks focusing on Entrepreneurship, Volunteering, Self-branding, Career Development, Creativity, Maximising Technology, Leadership as a cutting-edge tool for transforming vision into reality and job prospects under Covid -19 conditions.

A cross-section of participants at the event

Sponsors for the programme included Total Ghana, GT Bank, ABSA bank, FNB bank, Lucozade, Jobberman Ghana and Cedi Conference Centre.

Participating companies included Total Ghana, Jobberman Ghana, Tiast Group Ghana, Lead for Ghana, Vodafone, Republic, ABSA, FNB, Access and GT Banks, Learning Organization, ALX, L'ainee Services, Lucozade Ghana, Office of Students with Special Needs and Debbie's Cosmetics.

Dr. Bridget Ben-Naimah, Director of UGCCC, expressed appreciation to the participating companies and the sponsors for their partnership with the University of Ghana through the Careers and Counselling Centre, and hoped that the collaborative programmes would continue.

The Forum was followed by a Career Fair, an Entrepreneurship Challenge and the DCODED show which discussed the psychological dynamics related to venturing into entrepreneurship. This was interspersed with entertainment provided by the School of Performing Arts.

In attendance at the programme were the Registrar, Mrs. Emelia Agyei-Mensah; Dr. (Mrs.) Gladys Setordzie, Clinical Psychologist; Mr. Alex Wiafe, Counsellor, students and other members of the University community.

A group photo after the event