The Graduate Students Association of Ghana (GRASAG) is introducing measures to reduce incidence of graduate unemployment.

Unemployment rate among graduates currently stands at about 9 per cent as at 2012.

Failure of new graduates to secure employment has led to the springing up of the Unemployed Graduate Association.

The KNUST branch of GRASAG has introduced an entrepreneurship programme to help members grow business ideas.

Dubbed, “the GRASAG ENTREPRENEURSHIP CLINIC”, the training programme which will last for 4-months is geared toward providing sustainable employment for its membership.

 “People are crying that there are no jobs in the system, we want to put a stop to that cry or as a way help limit that cry by offering a platform for people to bring their ideas on board”,  President of the Association, Kusi Boakye explained.

According to him the initiative, this will ensure the school doesn’t churn out graduate who are only seeking for jobs but graduate who will provide jobs for other people.

“It’s about graduate providing jobs for other people. We are also looking at supporting other people to start their own businesses”.

One major challenge with small and medium-scale enterprises or start-ups is available financial support after getting the idea.

Officials say they are looking at a maximum of about 50,000 Ghana Cedis to support. 

Ten students ideas will be selected from the pool of application and supported for this year but officials say the numbers may increase come next year.

Available statistics show that more than 70 start-ups are unable to survive one year of operation.

The group is therefore collaborating with Kumasi Hive and KNUST incubator to mentor the graduates.

They are tasked to monitor the business idea and implementation till it gets a stronger footing.

Chief Executive of Kumasi Hive, George Appiah explains, “we are giving out a minimum of 4,000 but it could increase be to the highest range of 10,000 and 15,000 depending on the sponsorship”.

As part of measures to ensure moneys are not misused, funds will be disbursed in tranches.

The over 4,000 members of the association are expected to take advantage of the opportunity and apply for the competition.

The association and its collaborators are therefore calling on corporate bodies to support the initiative in order to increase the numbers.