Abstract:
The expected harmony in terms of forward and backward linkages between education,
skills and labour market outcomes has been met with frictions and imperfections that
raises questions about the market relevance of acquired education and skills relative to
industry requirements. The phenomenon of skills mismatch thus remains crucial for
developing economies like Ghana considering colossal investment in education and
skill development. This study, therefore, attempts to provide a comprehensive analysis
of the skills mismatch phenomenon in urban Ghana, with specific emphasis on the
causal triggers, effects on post-hire outcomes and a critical examination of skills and
personal portfolio required by industry players and firms in Ghana. It is structured into
seven chapters with three distinct but interrelated empirical papers that examine the
core issues of mismatch.