About 400 first and second-year students at Wa Senior High School benefited from the inaugural GhanaThink Junior Camp. The event in the Upper West Region connected students with professionals. These mentors came from fields including law, medicine, arts, tourism, entrepreneurship, higher education, and media. They encouraged students to make deliberate career choices. Participants were urged to fully use mentorship opportunities.
The camp aims to link students with mentors. This is done through group sessions and networking. Question-and-answer periods are also key. Ramla Yahaya, Team Lead for Junior Camp, explained the program's purpose. It guides students considering post-secondary education. Separate programs target older youth for job training.
This initiative addresses a crucial gap in career readiness. Many Ghanaian youth lack direct exposure to diverse professions. This can lead to uninformed decisions. Recent data shows a strong demand for skilled professionals. However, alignment between educational pathways and market needs remains a challenge. Prior events by GhanaThink have focused on entrepreneurship and skill development for young people.
Ramla Yahaya stated, “Junior Camp is here to bring mentors from different career paths – from art to law to medicine, to nursing, you name it.” She added, “Any career you are interested in pursuing after SHS, we have mentors here who will take you through group mentorship sessions.” She encouraged students to be inquisitive.
The camp's impact could extend beyond individual student choices. By fostering early career awareness, it may influence future educational enrollment trends. This can lead to a better-aligned workforce. It could also reduce graduate unemployment. Decisions made by these students are critical for their future success. It also shapes the future talent pool for Ghana's economy.
Journalist Syeduo Bomanjo emphasized the importance of current choices. "The choice you make today will indeed decide what you become in the future," he told students. Abdul Aziz Pelpuo, a professional tour guide, highlighted tourism's economic role. He noted its ripple effects across other sectors of the economy. Josephine Naab of Wilma Youth Club spoke about the LEAM model. This stands for Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Advocacy, and Mentorship. She stressed prioritizing education for community benefit.
Doctors and lawyers also shared their experiences. Dr. Eunice Wulimiga Bangniyel mentored students interested in medicine. Juana Fynn-Wills Pipson, a lawyer, shared her diverse professional journey. Gias Daudi, a law lecturer, tackled misconceptions about the legal profession. The program ran group mentorship sessions. This gave students a chance to ask questions and build networks. It helps them before they choose paths after Senior High School.