STUDENTS' CAREER PROSPECT AFTER HIGHER EDUCATION IN GHANA: A LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

This study evaluated how well Ghanaian higher education curriculum connects with the labor market. The study adopted the secondary data collection method to review the related literature. The study adopted scholastic tools like google scholar, scopus, and other global and African data sources to review empirical literature on Ghanaian high education curriculum and labor market. The findings indicate a significant discrepancy between what companies require and what students learn. Employers are increasingly seeking graduates with emotional intelligence, effective communication, and problem-solving abilities in addition to technical talents. The results also highlight the significant lack of hands-on training and exposure to real-world situations that prevent graduates from being truly prepared for the workforce. The study highlights the need for curriculum reform, which suggests that academic programs must incorporate both technical and soft skills. If this curriculum is to continue to be relevant to the demands of the modern labor market, there is a need for increased cooperation between academia and industry. In order to influence career preparedness programs, internships, and professional certifications, employers should be involved in curriculum design and offer their distinct perspectives. In order to better prepare our students for future success, these skill gaps should be filled through academic opportunities that incorporate experiential learning and strategic relationships in the academia. The study's limitations are described, including the challenges of obtaining up-to-date information and the irregularities in research methods of the literature reviewed, offering some indicators that require more investigation to address the problems. Longitudinal studies of graduate outcomes across time would be especially valuable for comprehending the long-term consequences of curricular change and interventions to increase employability.