By Belinda Nketia
Entrepreneur, corporate trainer and conference speaker Jeremiah Buabeng says Ghana’s education system must adopt more practical training methods to better prepare students for the world of work.
He argued that the current approach is too focused on theory, leaving many graduates without workplace-ready skills. He proposed transforming universities into “simulator companies,” where students spend two years in the classroom and two years working on real projects in their field.
Buabeng said universities should operate like consulting firms, applying what they teach in practice. This, he added, would shift education from being theory-driven to practice-oriented, especially in the age of artificial intelligence.
In the short term, he urged students and graduates to take personal responsibility by seeking internships. Such opportunities, he noted, provide valuable exposure, build skills, and offer a clearer sense of workplace expectations.
Addressing the difference between grammar schools and TVET institutions, Buabeng said grammar schools often lag in adapting. He added that when such concerns are raised, many in academia become defensive, insisting they are “raising thinkers.” According to him, this claim is “contestable” as most graduates do not display the level of critical thinking implied.
He urged academic institutions to acknowledge shifting global trends and re-engineer their structures to match the demands of the present.
Buabeng made these remarks in response to a question from Thelma Tackie on what changes within the education structure could give students a real sense of the workplace. The question followed his earlier argument that schools do not adequately prepare learners for life after graduation.
