Mahama has a transformational agenda to address brain drain — Opong-Fosu

Akwasi Opong-Fosu, a former Minister of State said the current lack of job opportunities in Ghana has resulted in an unprecedented brain drain.

He said the transformational agenda of former President John Dramani Mahama including the 24-hour Economy proposed initiative was a game-changer aimed at addressing increased productivity and job creation.

Opong-Fosu made the remarks when the Tertiary Education Institutions Network (TEIN) Wing of the University of Ghana called on him at his office in Accra.

The meeting was to provide a platform for the executives to express their appreciation for the former Minister’s continuous support of TEIN activities and aspirations and highlighted the importance of involving young voices in policy discussions and decision-making processes.

The discussion delved into various topics, including the challenges students faced in accessing quality education, the need for youth empowerment programmes, and the role of government in fostering job creation and sustainable development.

He said students who were the major stakeholders, as well as important resources to propagate the vision, would not be left out of the town hall meetings that President Mahama was currently undertaking.

Opong-Fosu pledged his support to offer guidance to the TEIN UG executives and encouraged them to remain focused, resilient, and dedicated to their chosen paths.

He commended the students for their dedication to public service and encouraged them to continue pursuing their dreams, emphasizing the importance of young voices in shaping policies and driving change.

He shared his insights, drawing from his experiences as a student leader and in public service and provided valuable advice on how the TEIN executives could make a meaningful difference in their chosen fields emphasizing the importance of collaboration between the government and young leaders, recognizing the potential for transformative change with diverse voices.

President of the TEIN UG, Paul Amoldago on behalf of the executives expressed gratitude for the opportunity to engage in a discussion that would shape their future endeavours, saying: “With our aspirations aligned and a renewed sense of purpose, we resolved to embark on our journey to transform our aspirations into reality, contributing to the betterment of our communities and the nation as a whole”.

Amoldago presented their aspirations, focusing on key areas such as education, youth empowerment, job creation, and sustainable development and articulated their desire to contribute to the progress and development of their communities.

He said: “Our meeting with the former Minister is an active engagement with a constructive dialogue and gave us an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the complexities of governance and policymaking”.

Amoldago expressed their commitment to working towards their goals, leveraging the knowledge gained from the discussion to make a tangible impact in their communities and recognized their enthusiasm, passion, and commitment to making a positive impact.

The TEIN executives planned to implement actionable steps that were discussed during the meeting, including organizing community initiatives, advocating policy changes, and fostering partnerships with relevant stakeholders.

The meeting concluded with a sense of optimism and determination, while the TEIN UG executives left the meeting inspired and motivated, armed with new perspectives and ideas to drive their aspirations forward.

The TEIN UG presented a plaque to Mr Opong-Fosu to demonstrate their appreciation for supporting their programmes such as handing over ceremonies, orientations and TEIN regional communicators conferences.