Former Education Minister Yaw Osei Adutwum has sparked widespread debate after boldly describing some university courses as “useless,” while specifically calling out two academic programmes he believes offer limited relevance to the job market.
Speaking on education and employability, the former minister argued that not all tertiary programmes are aligned with current economic needs, insisting that certain courses may be producing graduates without strong practical or industry demand. His comments have reignited long-standing discussions about curriculum relevance, skills mismatch, and graduate unemployment.
Adutwum reportedly singled out two programmes as examples in his critique, suggesting they require urgent review or restructuring to better serve national development goals. While he did not dismiss the value of higher education as a whole, he emphasized the need for universities to prioritize skills-based training and market-driven courses.
The remarks have triggered mixed reactions, with some education stakeholders agreeing that reforms are necessary, while others caution against labeling academic disciplines as “useless,” arguing that all fields of study have intellectual and societal value.
The debate continues as policymakers and education experts weigh in on how best to balance academic freedom with labour market demands in shaping Ghana’s tertiary education system.
