Each year, thousands of Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) graduates across Ghana eagerly await their placement into senior high schools after completing their exams. In 2025 alone, over 603,000 candidates completed their exams between June 11 and June 18.
During these results waiting period — often lasting several months — many young people remain idle at home or become overly focused on entertainment and social media. Some even get caught up in peer pressure and social vices due to idleness.
As a young Ghanaian who has navigated both local and international stages, I believe this waiting period presents a golden opportunity for intentional skills development that should not be wasted. Parents, guardians, and community leaders should use this time to equip graduates with vital life skills, survival skills, soft skills, and technical skills — as many as possible.
The future truly belongs not only to the academically excellent but to those who can combine knowledge with practical skills for personal and societal growth. Globally, society gives a seat at the table to people of skill. The more skills mastered, the more powerfully we prepare our young adults as future global leaders and changemakers.
My Personal Experience
From my own journey, I have experienced firsthand the profound impact of learning different skills beyond the classroom.
When I completed my BECE, I became deeply engaged in learning musical instruments at my local church’s mission house. I learned to play the piano and bass guitar — and though not a professional, developing these skills in my own way has brought me tremendous relevance and connection wherever I go, from Ghana to Canada. Serving religious communities with these skills has brought me before great and powerful people, setting me apart from my peers. I did not struggle to find opportunities because of the networks these skills created for me.
I also learned barbering, a skill that became very useful when I moved to Canada and realized how expensive it was to get a hair trim. As a student in a foreign country, I always did my own trims, which helped me look my best without compromising my appearance. It is common to see young people there with unkempt hair due to the cost — a choice that can lower their “appearance card” when it matters most. I can’t overemphasize the importance of good appearance. Occasionally, I also trimmed for others for a small token. The greatest value, however, was the cost savings: I saved over $40 every two weeks.
I also learned swimming, a life-saving skill that promotes health, discipline, and resilience.
I explored photography, which not only unlocked my creative side but also taught me the power of kindness and connection. One of the most heartwarming things I enjoy doing occasionally in the city of Toronto is helping strangers capture special moments. Whenever I take walks through the buzzing streets of Toronto — either after work or on casual strolls — I often come across visitors and families trying to take selfies or group photos, often on what looks like a meaningful trip, as Toronto is a favorite destination for tourists. As a mobile photo enthusiast, I sometimes offer to help them take their photos. It’s a simple gesture, but seeing their smiles afterward and hearing their sincere words of appreciation always fills me with joy.
One day, after helping a few people, a man approached me and asked a few questions. During our conversation, he shared that he was recruiting for a role in my field at his firm (name withheld). I was stunned. He would have hired me, but I was already happily employed and deeply fulfilled in my current role. That encounter left me emotional and reminded me how skills and small acts of kindness can open unexpected doors and touch lives in ways we don’t anticipate.
Categories of Skills to Teach BECE Graduates
1️⃣ Life Skills
Help young people manage daily life with confidence and responsibility.
Examples:
• Time management — learning to prioritize and use time wisely.
• Personal hygiene and grooming — building self-confidence and social acceptance.
• Financial literacy and budgeting — understanding how to manage money early.
2️⃣ Survival Skills
Equip them to stay safe and independent in different situations.
Examples:
• Basic first aid and CPR — being able to save lives during emergencies.
• Swimming and water safety — preventing drowning and promoting fitness.
• Fire safety and emergency preparedness — knowing how to react and protect themselves.
• Basic cooking and nutrition — encouraging healthy living and self-reliance.
3️⃣ Soft Skills
Develop interpersonal and emotional tools needed to succeed anywhere.
Examples:
• Communication and public speaking — expressing ideas clearly and confidently.
• Second language mastery (e.g., French — I wish I had this!) — opening doors globally.
• Teamwork and collaboration — learning to work well with others.
• Emotional intelligence — understanding and managing emotions effectively.
• Adaptability and problem-solving — thriving in changing environments.
4️⃣ Technical and Vocational Skills
Provide practical skills that can lead to side gigs or full-time careers.
Examples:
• Computer literacy and basic coding — foundational for almost all modern careers.
• Sewing or fashion design — creating products and expressing creativity.
• Hairdressing or barbering — offering essential services and potential income.
• Graphic design and photography — unlocking creative and professional opportunities.
Why This Matters
In an era where academic knowledge alone is no longer enough, our young people need to be well-rounded and adaptable. Skills create pathways to entrepreneurship, improve employability, and build confidence.
The idle months after BECE can be transformed into a season of empowerment — a time when young people discover their strengths and passions beyond the classroom.
A Call to Action
I urge parents, teachers, religious leaders, and all well-meaning Ghanaians: Now is the time. Let us teach them skills. Let us equip our future leaders to stand out globally, not only in exams but also in life.
Look around you and reach out to these young ones! Their future is bright; we have a role to play.
Writer is a youth mentor.
Carl Prosper Kallai
Carl Prosper Kallai is a youth mentor and Business Intelligence Analyst based in Canada. Passionate about empowering the next generation, he uses his journey from Ghana to the global stage to inspire young people to embrace lifelong learning and practical skills. He holds a Master of Financial Innovation & Technology from Smith School of Business, Queen’s University, and believes every young person has the potential to become a global changemaker.
