Astute businessman, Sam Jonah has called for a complete overhaul of the country's educational system.

According to him, the current educational system has failed to “groom young people to believe in themselves and to have the necessary skills and attitudes to form an effective, efficient labour force.”

“As the legendary Dr. Kwegyir Aggrey opined, our education must train the heads, hands and heart of our youth. This calls for not only Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, but also vocational and technical education,” he said.

He further bemoaned the country’s inordinate obsession with degrees and certificates, which he says has “turned most of our graduates into ‘certificated unemployables’ hardly suited to the needs of industry.”

“This is why I have never understood the kind of logic that informed the conversion of polytechnics into universities,” he added.

Delivering his speech entitled, “Down the up escalator – Reflections on Ghana’s future by a senior citizen” at a Rotary Club function in Accra, the businessman called on national leaders to “relook at our priorities and reform the educational system, shifting away from grades and certificates to technical know-how, values and attitude building; an educational system which inculcates into our young people flexibility and adaptability; communication and emotional intelligence; creativity and innovation as well as ethical leadership skills.”

This, he says, “is the only way we can compete in the 21st century, and from my perspective, we do not lack the human and material resources to create that kind of system. We must shape the future we desire for our country today!”