Prof. Kwaku Asare has countered claims by former Education Minister Yaw Osei Adutwum, arguing that graduate unemployment is driven more by economic conditions than university programmes.
The debate over the relevance of certain university programmes in Ghana has intensified after governance expert challenged recent comments made by former Education Minister , who described some university courses as producing “degrees to nowhere.”
Prof. Asare argued that the issue of graduate unemployment cannot be attributed solely to university programmes, but must be understood within the broader context of Ghana’s economic structure and job creation capacity.
His comments were made in a Facebook post that has since reignited national discussion on tertiary education, employability, and labour market absorption.
“Weak Economy Produces Unemployed Graduates Across All Fields”
Prof. Asare rejected the idea that specific degrees are inherently “useless,” arguing instead that employment outcomes depend largely on the strength of the economy.
He stated that even highly technical graduates can face unemployment in a weak labour market.
“A weak economy can produce unemployed engineers, lawyers, accountants, doctors, and computer scientists just as easily as unemployed graduates in the humanities or social sciences.”
His position shifts attention from curriculum design alone to broader macroeconomic conditions and governance systems.
Related reading:
- Graduate Unemployment in Ghana
- Skills Mismatch and Labour Market Trends
Call for Labour Market Data and Curriculum Reform
While defending academic programmes, Prof. Asare acknowledged the need for stronger accountability mechanisms in universities.
He called for:
- Regular publication of graduate employment outcomes
- Improved labour market forecasting
- Integration of digital, analytical, and entrepreneurial skills across disciplines
According to him, universities should be evaluated, but not dismissed, for offering certain programmes.
This position places emphasis on evidence-based higher education planning rather than blanket criticism of academic disciplines.
Related reading:
- Higher Education Reform in Ghana
- Role of GTEC in Programme Accreditation
Criticism of Political and Economic Structures
In a sharper critique, Prof. Asare shifted responsibility to Ghana’s political and economic systems, arguing that structural weaknesses are at the root of graduate unemployment.
He stated that political parties, rather than universities alone, must be examined in the broader development challenge.
“Instead of calling degrees useless, perhaps we should focus on reforming our political parties… Fix the politics, and the economy has a fighting chance.”
His argument places graduate unemployment within the wider framework of governance, economic planning, and national development policy.
Related reading:
- Governance and Education Outcomes in Ghana
- National Development and Youth Employment
Ongoing National Debate on University Programmes
The response comes after earlier remarks by former Education Minister Adutwum, who criticised some university courses such as Development Studies and BA Education (Non-Teaching), describing them as poorly aligned with labour market needs.
The contrasting views highlight a growing policy debate between:
- Curriculum relevance advocates, who call for stronger alignment with labour market demand
- Structural economists and governance experts, who argue that job creation capacity is the core issue
The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) is increasingly being viewed as a key actor in this policy space.
Related reading:
- University Curriculum and Employability in Ghana
- Graduate Employment Policy Debate
EducationGhana Analysis
The exchange between Prof. Kwaku Asare and Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum reflects a fundamental policy tension in Ghana’s education system: whether graduate unemployment is primarily a supply-side problem (education system) or a demand-side problem (economy and job creation capacity).
A balanced policy approach may require both:
- Reforming university curricula for relevance
- Strengthening industrial policy and job creation mechanisms
- Expanding labour market data systems to guide programme design
Without such integration, the debate risks remaining cyclical rather than solution-oriented.
Related reading:
- Education and Economic Development in Ghana
- Labour Market Forecasting and Policy Planning
Key Takeaways
- Prof. Kwaku Asare says unemployment is driven more by the economy than “useless degrees.”
- He disagrees with blanket criticism of university programmes.
- He calls for stronger labour market data and curriculum reform.
- He argues political and economic systems must be reformed to address unemployment.
- The debate follows comments by former Education Minister Yaw Osei Adutwum.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the main argument by Kwaku Asare?
He argues that graduate unemployment is driven more by economic conditions than the nature of university degrees.
What did he say about universities?
He believes universities should improve accountability but not be blamed entirely for unemployment.
What is the broader debate about?
It concerns whether university programmes or the national economy is the main cause of graduate unemployment in Ghana.
Related Articles
- Yaw Osei Adutwum: Degrees to Nowhere Debate
- Graduate Unemployment in Ghana Explained
- GTEC and University Programme Accreditation
- Higher Education Reform in Ghana
- Labour Market and Education Policy
Source
This report is based on a Facebook statement by , published in response to comments made by former Education Minister Yaw Osei Adutwum.
Editorial Policy
EducationGhana.com reports education policy debates and commentary based on verified public statements and credible media publications. Opinion pieces are clearly attributed to their original authors.
Fact Check
This article reflects public statements made by both Prof. Kwaku Asare and former Education Minister Yaw Osei Adutwum. The content represents opinions within an ongoing national policy debate.
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