Young people have been urged to focus on solving problems, acquiring relevant skills and identifying opportunities rather than relying solely on the search for employment, as more than 60 employers from Ghana, Germany and other European countries engaged job seekers at the 2026 Ghana Career and Migration Fair in Takoradi.
The fair brought together employers, young people, development partners and other stakeholders to discuss employment opportunities, career development and the skills required to meet the changing demands of the labour market.
Head of the Ghanaian-European Centre for Jobs, Migration and Development, Andreas Berding, emphasised the need to strengthen employment services to connect job seekers with suitable opportunities and help them develop their potential.
He noted that creating platforms where young people could improve their skills and interact directly with prospective employers was important to addressing employment challenges and supporting economic development.
The fair offered participants the opportunity to learn about available career pathways, engage employers and understand the qualifications and competencies required in different industries.
It also provided a space for job seekers to explore opportunities beyond the traditional routes into employment.
Meanwhile, Deputy Director-General of the National Service Authority, Fuseini Donkor, addressed the challenges young people encounter when transitioning from education and professional training into the world of work.
His contribution highlighted the importance of strengthening the relationship between education, skills development and industry to improve the employability of young people.
The engagement comes at a time when stakeholders are exploring ways to equip young people with practical skills that respond to the needs of employers, including opportunities that may require specialised technical knowledge and foreign-language proficiency.
One such initiative is the German Language Skills Training Centre at Takoradi Technical University (TTU), which was recently opened to support language training and improve access to opportunities requiring German-language skills.
The centre is equipped with 26 computers and is designed to offer German instruction from beginner to advanced levels. Its training programmes are expected to support sectors such as engineering, automotive, construction and tourism, where language skills could be an added advantage for employment and professional development.
Vice-Chancellor of TTU, Rev. Prof. John Frank Eshun, highlighted the importance of the initiative in preparing young people to take advantage of opportunities that require a combination of technical expertise and language skills.
The initiative is also expected to reach beyond the university community, with plans underway to extend German-language training to artisans at Kokompe, a major industrial and automobile repair hub in Takoradi.
The proposed extension could create opportunities for artisans to broaden their skills and improve their prospects in industries where international collaboration and communication are important.
The fair was facilitated by the Social Entrepreneurship Hub and brought together key stakeholders, including German Ambassador to Ghana, Frederik Landshöft, representatives of the European Union Delegation and other development partners.
The participation of these stakeholders reflects ongoing efforts to strengthen cooperation in skills development, employment support and access to career opportunities for young people.
Organisers say the initiative is intended to encourage young people to take greater responsibility for their career development by acquiring relevant skills, exploring available opportunities and identifying practical solutions to challenges within their communities and industries.
The fair also underscored the importance of closer collaboration between educational institutions, employers and development partners in preparing young people for an increasingly competitive labour market.
By Francoise Kpogno
