Final week, we talked about levels that virtually assure you a job after college. However let’s hold it actual—not each diploma program goes to set you up for profession success in Ghana’s present job market. And for those who’re a senior highschool scholar making an attempt to determine what to check, otherwise you’re already in college questioning for those who picked the suitable course, this dialog is for you.
Look, we’re not right here to crush anybody’s desires. However in a rustic the place youth unemployment is an actual subject and oldsters are spending their life financial savings on college schooling, should not now we have an sincere dialog about which levels may go away you struggling to search out work?
The best way to Spot a Diploma That Would possibly Not Ship
Earlier than we dive in, listed here are the warning indicators {that a} diploma may not be your finest wager:
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Only a few corporations are literally hiring folks with that qualification
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Most graduates find yourself working in fully totally different fields
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You want a grasp’s diploma or PhD simply to turn into employable
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The sphere is so overcrowded that even glorious graduates battle
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Know-how is slowly making these jobs out of date
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Success relies upon extra on pure expertise than what you discovered at school
Sound acquainted? Let’s break down some particular examples.
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1. Anthropology or Archaeology
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The fact examine: These topics are fascinating for those who love studying about human cultures and historic civilizations. However here is the factor—the place precisely are you going to work in Ghana?
The few museums now we have are already understaffed and underfunded. The Ghana Museums and Monuments Board exists, however what number of anthropologists do they actually need? In the meantime, our historic websites are sometimes uncared for or destroyed for actual property improvement. It is heartbreaking, nevertheless it’s the truth.
Why it is powerful: Most Ghanaians do not see the instant worth in learning historic societies once we’re coping with unemployment and poor healthcare. Plus, these college departments are sometimes working with outdated tools and minimal analysis funding.
The underside line: It isn’t that these fields are nugatory—they’re simply not supported by our present system. Till Ghana begins prioritizing cultural preservation and heritage tourism, graduates in these areas will proceed to battle.
2.Classics
What It Is: Assume historic Greek and Roman languages, philosophy, and literature. Sounds refined, proper?
The issue: In Ghana, many individuals query why we’re spending years learning lifeless Europeans when now we have urgent native challenges. It feels disconnected from African realities and comes throughout as a colonial leftover.
Plus, the place do you’re employed after commencement? Educating classics at college? Good luck—there are possibly three positions in your entire nation, and so they’re already taken.
The cruel reality: This discipline has an elitist status and nearly zero public engagement. Most Ghanaians have by no means heard of it, and those that have typically see it as one thing for privileged individuals who can afford to check “ineffective” topics.
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3.Dance
This is the Factor: Ghana has unimaginable dancers—from conventional Adowa to trendy Afrobeats choreography. Our dance strikes go viral on TikTok repeatedly. However do you want a college diploma to bop? Completely not.
The challenges: Dancing remains to be seen as a passion, not an actual job. The pay is horrible (for those who receives a commission in any respect), and there isn’t any job safety. Many dancers, particularly girls, face stigma and disrespect from society.
What’s irritating: Ghana’s dance tradition influences the world, however we’re not capitalizing on it economically. There isn’t any correct trade construction, no dance faculties price mentioning, and no authorities help.
Actuality examine: If you happen to’re naturally gifted and passionate about dance, you may succeed—however in all probability not due to your diploma.
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Marriage ceremony dance
4.Historical past
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The scenario: Ghana has an extremely wealthy historical past, however historical past graduates typically find yourself educating or working in fully totally different fields.
Why it is Robust: Past educating and the occasional museum job, there aren’t many apparent profession paths. Many individuals see historical past as simply memorizing dates relatively than understanding how the previous shapes our current.
The missed alternative: In different international locations, historians contribute to policy-making, city planning, and cultural tourism. In Ghana? Not a lot. We’re not utilizing historic data to tell improvement, which makes the sphere appear irrelevant.
What’s unhappy: We desperately want individuals who perceive our historical past to assist form our future, however we’re not creating jobs for them.
5.Tourism
The previous mannequin: Tourism used to require journey brokers, tour guides, and hospitality managers with formal coaching.
The brand new actuality: Everybody has a smartphone now. Vacationers e book their very own lodging, plan their very own itineraries, and skim evaluations on-line. The entire trade is turning into automated.
Ghana’s problem: Our tourism infrastructure is poor anyway. Unhealthy roads, unreliable web, poor customer support, and security issues make it onerous for the sector to develop—no matter what number of tourism graduates we produce.
The decision: Until you are planning to be an entrepreneur who can innovate on this area, a tourism diploma may not be your finest funding.
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6.Spiritual Research
Let’s Be Trustworthy ,Ghana is already deeply non secular. We’ve got pastors, prophets, and religious leaders everywhere. Do we actually want college graduates so as to add to this?
The profession actuality: Most jobs are in educating, academia, or non secular establishments—all of which pay poorly and have restricted openings.
The misunderstanding: Folks suppose non secular research is nearly studying the Bible or Quran, nevertheless it truly entails important evaluation of religions and their social affect. Sadly, this distinction would not assist with job prospects.
The irony: Regardless of all our non secular exercise, we hardly ever use non secular research insights for peacebuilding, policy-making, or social improvement.
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7.Philosophy
What Philosophy teaches: Important pondering, logic, ethics, structured argument—all extremely beneficial expertise.
What Ghana values: Rapid, sensible options. Fast outcomes. Concrete outcomes.
The disconnect: Philosophy encourages summary pondering and long-term reflection, however our society desires prompt solutions. Most policy-makers and enterprise leaders do not seek the advice of philosophers when making choices.
The tragedy: We desperately want higher important pondering and moral reasoning in our politics and enterprise, however we’re not creating area for philosophers to contribute.
8.Music
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The reality: Sarkodie, Stonebwoy, Black Sherif—none of them wanted music levels to turn into profitable. Music success is determined by expertise, creativity, onerous work, and typically luck.
The challenges: Unstable revenue, piracy points, lack of trade infrastructure, and social stigma make music a dangerous profession alternative for most individuals.
The exception fallacy: Sure, some musicians make it massive, however they’re uncommon exceptions. Most music graduates find yourself struggling or working different jobs.
What’s lacking: Higher trade help, mental property safety, {and professional} improvement alternatives—no more graduates.
9. Entrepreneurship
The hype: Everybody’s speaking about entrepreneurship as the answer to unemployment.
The fact: Most profitable entrepreneurs discovered by doing, not by learning. Plus, Ghana’s enterprise surroundings is hard—restricted capital, poor infrastructure, bureaucratic hurdles, and unfair competitors.
The issue: Many individuals have gotten entrepreneurs out of desperation (no jobs accessible) relatively than ardour or innovation. This results in too many individuals making an attempt the identical companies—meals joints, clothes strains, cosmetics—with out a lot differentiation.
The onerous reality: You do not want a level to begin a enterprise, however you do want cash, connections, and loads of luck to reach Ghana’s difficult surroundings.
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10.Theatre and the Performing Arts
The inventive worth: Theatre can educate, encourage, and entertain. It is highly effective stuff.
The financial actuality: Only a few sustainable profession alternatives exist. Authorities and personal help is minimal. Society would not worth the humanities sufficient to pay for them correctly.
The infrastructure drawback: Exterior of the Nationwide Theatre and some different venues, the place do you carry out? How do you attain audiences? How do you earn money?
The potential: Theatre might be nice for tourism, schooling, and cultural diplomacy—however we’re not making these connections but.
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Look, we’re not saying these topics are nugatory or that you simply should not examine them for those who’re actually passionate. However for those who’re selecting a level primarily for job safety and monetary stability, these may not be your finest choices in Ghana’s present surroundings.
The issue is not at all times the topics themselves—it is that our financial system, infrastructure, and priorities do not help them correctly. Possibly in 10-20 years, issues shall be totally different. However proper now, in 2025, these are the realities you’ll want to contemplate.
Earlier than You Select:
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Analysis precise job prospects in your discipline
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Speak to latest graduates about their experiences
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Contemplate whether or not you are keen to create your personal alternatives
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Take into consideration combining your ardour with extra marketable expertise
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Have real looking expectations about revenue and profession development
Keep in mind: Your diploma would not outline your complete future, however it could actually considerably affect your first few years after commencement. Select correctly, and do not let anybody make you are feeling unhealthy for prioritizing monetary stability over ardour—that is a luxurious not everybody can afford.
What do you suppose? Are we being too harsh, or is that this the sincere dialog Ghana must have about increased schooling and employment? Tell us within the feedback.
