Prof. Franklin Mabe urges youth to prioritise education, career growth, and networking

The Director of the Centre for Agricultural Productivity and Policy Studies at the University for Development Studies (UDS), Nyankpala Campus, Prof. Franklin N. Mabe, has urged young people to take advantage of educational and career opportunities to improve their lives.

He made this call at the End-of-Year Get-Together organised by the Konkomba Youth Association (KoYA) in Tamale.

The event brought together members of KoYA and other stakeholders to discuss youth development and empowerment within the Konkomba community.

Addressing the gathering, Prof. Mabe encouraged young people to pursue higher education, emphasising that financial constraints should not be a barrier. 

He highlighted the availability of numerous scholarship programmes and urged the youth to use their smartphones to search and apply for them. He noted that many of his students had benefited from such opportunities and were now studying abroad.

Prof. Mabe advised national service personnel to develop additional skills before completing their service, as many graduates struggle with job application documents like CVs, which affects their employability. He stressed the importance of presenting oneself professionally to secure employment.

He also highlighted data analysis and coding as critical skills in today’s job market, particularly for students in statistics, mathematics, and economics. According to him, professionals and researchers are constantly seeking skilled data analysts, and mastering these skills can significantly increase job prospects.

Beyond formal employment, Prof. Mabe encouraged the youth to consider entrepreneurship, stressing that economic empowerment goes beyond traditional farming. 

He urged them to pursue income-generating ventures with dedication and conviction, assuring them of his commitment to providing technical assistance to those seeking to enhance their skills and improve their prospects.

The Country Director of Canadian Feed The Children (CFTC) Ghana, Mr. Augustine N-Yokuni, also addressed the gathering, emphasising the importance of networking for personal and professional growth.

He described networking as a form of social capital that cannot be acquired in a classroom or purchased. He encouraged young people to actively seek mentorship and professional development opportunities, stating that the more they network, the stronger their social capital becomes.

Mr. N-Yokuni urged the youth to attend mentorship programmes, earn professional certificates, and expand their networks, as these connections would open doors in today’s competitive world.