The Ghana Association of University Administrators (GAUA) has launched an initiative aimed at curbing corruption and contributing to shaping the career paths of the younger generation.

The Raising Next Professionals Initiative which would connect public universities' senior administrators and professionals with public schoolchildren, is geared toward reducing unemployment and corrupt practices.

Speaking at the launch of the Initiative at the Adaklu Kodzobi DA Basic School in the Adaklu District of the Volta Region, the National President of GAUA, Dr. Mrs. Beth Offei-Awuku lamented the high level of corrupt practices in the country.

“As indicated by the Ghana Integrity & Public Survey Statistics for 2021, Ghana lost a whopping GHȼ5 billion to bribes and various forms of corrupt cash practices.

"This is about the same figure the government expended on the cost of the school feeding programme between 2017 and 2021. If we can, GAUA by this initiative is partnering with the GES, to help raise ethical professionals who will reduce or abolish these levels of bribery and corruption in Ghana, for the nation to be able to do more for its citizens, especially its children”, she said

She indicated that the initiative would see the beneficiaries provided counselling, professional engagements, and employment envisioning to help them make informed decisions when picking a career.

Dr. Offei-Awuku said that the initiative would be opened to all basic and senior high public schools nationwide, where a pool of resource persons who are members of GAUA would be available for professional/vocational career counselling sessions.

She added that selected beneficiary schools would have their counselling departments equipped with requisite logistics and human resources to ensure “in-depth engagement with students."

Dr. Offei-Awuku indicated that the initiative would also encompass mentoring programmes for students and partnerships with the beneficiary schools.

“GAUA through the RNPI programme stands in a strategic position to provide expertise, experience, and research-based consultations on career, cognitive, and conceptual gaps of SHS students to GES, providing a wide spectrum of development partners on curriculum design & development, youth leadership capacity training, and school career intervention programmes etc.

"We envisage RNPI to grow into a most strategic social development intervention by GAUA as its contribution to national development and raising the next generation of visionary and ethical professionals for and from Ghana.

"With our qualified professional membership in universities across the country, GAUA is well-placed to deliver on the RNPI promise. Let us all who care about the professional excellence in the future of Ghana come now and partner with GAUA - our doors are opened to effective collaboration”, she added.

The headmaster of Adaklu Kodzobi DA Basic School, Charles Kugbeadzor lauded the initiative as it would play a vital role in shaping the future of the learners.

“Today marks the beginning of a partnership that holds immense promise for the students of Adaklu Kodzobi DA Basic School. Through the collaboration between the school and GAUA, I am confident that we will equip our learners with not only the knowledge and skills they need but also the confidence and clarity to pursue their dreams”, he said.

He assured of the school’s support to ensure the success of the Raising Next Professionals Initiative.