Young Ghanaians have been urged to look beyond academic certificates and develop the practical skills and competencies required to succeed in an increasingly competitive job market.

The call was made at Groundwork 2026, a youth development programme organised by YSA Global ahead of International Youth Day.

The programme, held on Saturday, August 8, 2026, brought together young people and industry professionals for sessions focused on practical workplace knowledge, mentorship, professional development and exposure to industry expectations.

Mentor of the programme, Dr Felicia Nkrumah Kuagbedzi, said young people must understand what employers expect and begin developing the relevant competencies before entering the job market.

She said concerns about university graduates lacking the skills required by industry could not be addressed by one stakeholder alone.

“Usually you would hear that the students coming out of university are not fit for purpose. They are not delivering as should be expected. What have you done? It has to be a co-creation process between industry, policymakers and NGOs.”

Dr Kuagbedzi said such collaboration should create opportunities for experienced professionals to share their knowledge and guide young people as they prepare for employment.

Preparing young people for the workplace

Organiser of Groundwork 2026, Antoinette Gan, said the programme was designed to expose participants to the realities and expectations of the workplace before they begin their professional careers.

She said the sessions focused on areas ranging from workplace entry and conduct to effective interaction with colleagues.

“Part of the groundwork is knowing how to enter the workplace; that is the first thing. The second aspect is also knowing what it is that I need to know, how do I conduct myself, how do I engage with my colleagues.”

Participants said the programme provided practical lessons they could apply in their professional lives, particularly in networking and workplace relationships.

One participant said the programme had changed how they viewed professional networking, stressing the need to approach such relationships with clear intentions.

“The key thing I’m taking home is when you are networking with somebody, you are intentional about it.”

Another participant said the sessions had helped them better understand workplace expectations and prepare for professional life.

“I am equipped. I’ve learned also that the workspace doesn’t need people who are too soft.”

Participants said lessons on networking, workplace conduct and professional confidence would help them make a smoother transition from school into employment.

The organisers believe sustained mentorship, workplace exposure and practical training will be critical to bridging the gap between academic learning and the skills demanded by Ghana’s job market.