Youth must be wary of “mushrooming” media schools

Source: GNA - Mr Francis Takyi-Koranteng, Kpando Municipal Co-ordinator of the National Youth Authority, has advised young people to stay away from unaccredited media training schools in the Volta Region.

He said such schools littered all over the region were only exploiting desperate young people in search of jobs.

Mr Takyi-Koranteng gave the advice at the 2015 School of Life International Development Youth Camp in Ho.

He said in the past two years, his office had received copious complaints from young people who went to such schools with promises of becoming journalists and media practitioners but had their hopes dashed.

Mr Takyi-Koranteng said the modus operandi of the schools, mostly attached to radio stations, was to promise job and attachment placements with consistent radio announcements to sway innocent young people.

He said unfortunately the schools charged exorbitant fees compelling some prospective students and their parents to go for loans from financial institutions at very high interest rates.

Mr Takyi-Koranteng said a good number of students who went to such schools became frustrated because their qualifications were not valid and called on the National Accreditation Board and other relevant stakeholders to help address the situation.

He said a handful of young people who were engaged by some local radio stations had no prospects for academic progression due to invalid diplomas and certificates and performed poorly on radio.

Mr Takyi-Koranteng said it was true that transition from school to work was becoming a great challenge but with the right motivation and support, young people could move from being job seekers to job creators.

Mr Francis Ganyaglo, Deputy Volta Regional Minister, advised young people in the region to go to accredited institutions and warned them against numerous private tertiary institutions which were not accredited.

He urged young people to take training that would build their future careers seriously and make good use of available resources and opportunities.

Mr Ganyaglo encouraged the campers to develop individual goals and work towards achieving them.

Reverend Terry Emmanuel Adzah, Executive Director, School of Life International, said it was unfortunate that people no longer wanted to serve but to be served and that the event was to inculcate the “spirit” of volunteerism and selfless service into young people.

He was hopeful the camp would help the youth to develop sound foundation and prepare them for real life challenges.