The 69th Annual New Year School and Conference (ANYSC) organized by the School of Continuing and Distance Education (SCDE) of the College of Education, University of Ghana has been held on the theme, “Job Creation for Accelerated National Development: the Role of the Private Sector.”
At the opening ceremony, the Chairman of the University of Ghana Council, Professor Yaw Twumasi noted that the theme for the Annual New Year School and Conference was very timely, as government cannot on its own create enough jobs to meet the increasing number of students who graduate from our schools each year. There was therefore the need for the private sector to help in playing this essential role.
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ebenezer Oduro Owusu stated that the issue of job creation remains central to national and international development. The task of creating jobs cannot be the sole responsibility of the government, but must be a collective responsibility spearheaded by the private sector.
Dr. Bawumia, Prof. Oduro Owusu and Sir Sam Jonah in discussion before the opening ceremony
Professor Michael Tagoe, the Acting Provost of the College of Education, who is also the Dean of the School of Continuing and Distance Education, said that the Annual New Year School and Conference has over the years provided the avenue for discussing critical issues linked to the nation’s development. He acknowledged the fact that the private sector has a critical role to play in job creation, and gave the high unemployment rate in the country as the reason for choosing the theme for the 69th Annual New Year School and Conference.
Prof. Michael Tagoe delivering his address
The keynote speaker, Sir Sam Jonah, pointed out the need to create an enabling environment that would attract investors into the country. He said that the intentions of the current government to face the challenge head on is remarkable but if not rightly managed, may not achieve the intended purpose. He further mentioned that youth unemployment has become a threat to national security and that it would be unrealistic to expect government to resolve the unemployment issue all by itself. He spoke about factors that investors look out for before investing in a country or in the private sector. These include a serene political environment, a free, fair and independent judiciary, land ownership and entitlement, infrastructural development, agriculture and education.
Sir Sam Jonah delivering the keynote address
Sir Jonah spoke on the need to review the Ghanaian educational curriculum and place more emphasis on science and technology. He also touched on the high importation rate in the country and stressed that almost all the rich countries today, protected their own companies.
The special guest of honor for the ceremony, His Excellency Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia spoke on the initiatives and achievements of the government within its first year in office. He acknowledged that job creation can only thrive in a business friendly environment and with microeconomic stability.
H.E. Dr. Bawumia delivering his address
The Annual New Year School and Conference has been held annually since 1949, and provides a platform for in-depth discussion of issues of national and international importance.
A group photograph of participants and officials after the opening ceremony
Click on this link to view the opening ceremony:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khEleNwjCZo&feature=youtu.be
Link to additional Pictures on the opening ceremony of ANYSC