PhDs are research programs, not pathways to guaranteed financial stability -Minister of Education’s spokesperson
The spokesperson for Minister of Education, Mr. Kwasi Kwarteng has joined the viral convo about comparison between a Dutch passport and PhD from Legon. He shared that PhDs are research programs, not pathways to guaranteed financial stability.
Across social media, the conversation about choosing between a Dutch passport and PhD from Legon started when a Ghanaian who is now a Dutch national acquired his Dutch passport and decided to throw more light on the weight the Dutch passport carries.
In the submission of Mr. Happiness, an interesting Ghanaian based in Holland who recently gained a Dutch Citizenship has become a topic of conversation on social media—following his recent video in which he said his Dutch Passport is better than a PhD in Ghana, many PhD holders and media houses hit the streets to query about the two items on the table of discussion.
Majority of Ghanaians opted for a Dutch passport at the expense of PhD with the reason that a Dutch passport can offer more benefits that PhD in a whole.
Joining the conversation, Kwasi Kwarteng (Spokesperson for Minister of Education) shared that you can have both documents can still experience poverty. “PhDs are research programs, not pathways to guaranteed financial stability. Similarly, possessing a passport or an academic certificate does not ensure economic well-being. In fact, someone with both documents can still experience poverty.”
He went on to say that “There is no direct correlation between holding any of these documents and being economically well-off. You might have a universal passport granting you access to all countries, but without a good job, improved conditions of service, and a good working attitude you can still be poor. The same applies to holding the highest academic qualifications.”
Breaking down what he thinks make a section of Ghanaians to accept what Mr. Happiness said “Dutch passport is better than having a PhD in Ghana” is due to “defeatist mindset”.
“The idea that holding a Dutch passport is better than having a PhD in Ghana stems from a defeatist mindset. However, it is understandable why such a notion exists, considering that converting basic earnings from certain countries to our local currency can make someone appear wealthy.”
“Therefore, the conversation should be redefined to focus on how we can improve conditions of service for the working class, create more jobs for our people, and most importantly, undertake measures to increase the value of our currency.
Until then, we should expect more of these misguided comparisons.
In the view of others, the spokesperson has refused to accept that a strong nation/economy cannot be built without a good leadership.
From the submission of myriad Ghanaians on the topic, leadership should be blamed for pushing citizens to think that way.
Mr. Kwarteng went deep to express his take on the effect of leadership on a nation as a whole.
A fellow citizen, Ghanaian under the post of the spokesperson asked a critical and logical question with regards to leadership. He asked “Kwasi Kwarteng don’t you think our political leaders have failed us massively. Why would/should this be in contention in the first place?”
“Is because the political elites have faulted and even hitting the undo button, we cannot autocorrect.
“Talk about condition of service, noooo, benefits, zilch and let’s not go there and talk about security for employees.
“Due to the above, l concur with you that, the convo should be redefined but we all don’t have the responsibility. Trust me, politicians play pity-party with citizens and some citizens will defend politicians at the peril of their own lives!!!
“Never again!!!”
The comment pushed Mr. Kwarteng to explained the role of leadership for the betterment of a nation.
“No bad system produces good outcome. The leadership of every country reflects the true nature of its citizenry. Our leaders are not imposed from heaven, they are selected by ourselves and we keep selecting them based on same considerations. There is no way we are going to get different results. But ultimately i agree leadership has a role to play. They have to build strong institutions and systems for the country”
From the submitted views of many, it is evident that Ghanaians are interested in talks about condition of service not excluding security for employees. Ghanaians strongly believe that if a Dutch passport has the said benefits as shared by Mr. Happiness, then, “The Ghanaian authorities should make Ghana a happy home for all instead of proving/explaining what a PhD is.”
Kofi Gabs is calling on the managers of the Ghanaian economy to sit up not just a bash to the leaders of the nation.
SOURCE: Coverghana.com.gh
