The University of Ghana has launched a students’ internship policy to prepare students for the job market and also to address the gaps in the organisation of internships.
The overarching goal of the policy is to empower students and graduates and further aims at bridging the gap between the skills students acquire during their academic journey and the demands of the labour market.
By doing so, it seeks to boost the confidence of students and enhance their employability, ultimately promoting successful transitions into the workforce for UG graduates.
Present at the launch of the event was the Deputy Minister of Employment and Labour Relations, Bright Wireko-Brobby, the Chairperson of the University of Ghana Governing Board, Her Ladyship Justice Sophia Akufo (Rtd), and the Acting Head of Civil Service, Dr. Evans Aggrey Darkoh.
Also present were provosts and students of the University.
According to the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfoh, “The launch of this policy gives impetus to the Key Strategic Objectives anchored through technology and humanism that I outlined during my inaugural speech as Vice-Chancellor. The policy stipulates the robust processes and technology-driven approach our internships will henceforth take: the decentralization of internships at the college level, which will empower colleges to be more responsive to students while promoting efficiency, effectiveness, accountability, and a sense of responsibility”.
The University is partnering with key institutions, both public and private, to bring the initiative to fruition.
Acting Head of Civil Service Dr. Evans Aggrey Darkoh said government has embraced the concept and therefore called on other universities to do same.
Minister for Employment and Labour Relations Ignatius Baffour Awuah, in a speech read on his behalf by the Deputy Minister for Employment, Bright Wireko-Brobby, was delighted the policy will bridge the unemployment gap and accelerate job creation.
“The development of this internship policy could not have come at a better time than now considering the public perception about internships in general.
“For me internships are seen as opportunities to acquire hands-on experience whiles practicing at the job but for others internships have been reduced to opportunities for interns to run errands for permanent staffs of organisations, some of these errands are not related to the organisations for which they were recruited for. Be it as it may I therefore recommend the University of Ghana for emerging as pioneers for this policy in Ghana,” he stressed.
Chairperson of the University Governing Board Her Ladyship Justice Sophia Akuffo was full of praise for institutions that have shown readiness to accept students from the University of Ghana, promising they will not be dissapointed.
The policy framework will see to it that students also earn allowances whiles on internship.
An online portal has also been created to give opportunity to students who wish to apply for internships to do so with ease.
Internships would be granted to students on merit.