Youth unemployment among Ghanaians aged 15 to 24 rose to 32.5% by the third quarter of 2025. This figure marks an increase from 32% recorded in December 2024. Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, Ranking Member on Parliament’s Economy and Development Committee, has proposed a five-point strategy to address this worsening crisis.
Mr. Oppong Nkrumah stated that current government interventions are not yielding the necessary results. He highlighted that nearly two million young Ghanaians are currently neither in education, employment, nor training. Almost half of young people in the Greater Accra Region also remain unemployed, signaling a critical socio-economic challenge for the nation.
This trend underscores a persistent challenge in Ghana's economic landscape, where job creation struggles to keep pace with a growing youth population. The Ghana Statistical Service data confirms the severity of the problem. Previous government initiatives have often focused on training programs, but Mr. Oppong Nkrumah argues these do not automatically translate into jobs. This lack of concrete employment opportunities after training contributes to the high unemployment figures.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament on Thursday, June 11, Mr. Oppong Nkrumah emphasized the urgency of the situation. He said, “Mr. Speaker, we do not need more slogans or promises that results are in the pipeline. We need a more effective architecture to solve the worsening youth unemployment problem in our country.” He further stated, “Data from the Statistical Service is clear. The youth unemployment problem is getting worse. The time to act is now.”
The proposed five-point plan includes several key measures. All job creation programs must be anchored to published delivery scorecards. These scorecards would measure beneficiaries, cost per job created, time to placement, and employment retention rates. He also advocates for a clear distinction between skills training programs and actual job creation initiatives. This distinction would ensure that training leads directly to employment opportunities.
Furthermore, Mr. Oppong Nkrumah called for increased private-sector participation in job creation. The government should focus on reducing investment risks and co-investing in strategic sectors. This approach aims to create a favorable regulatory environment for businesses to expand and create more jobs. He also recommended making apprenticeship programs the backbone of Ghana’s youth employment strategy. This would involve national certification, employer support, and structured pathways into jobs and entrepreneurship.
Finally, the Ofoase-Ayirebi MP proposed establishing a credible Labour Market Information System. This system would provide timely data on vacancies, skills gaps, and labor demand. Such data would support evidence-based policymaking to effectively tackle unemployment. The overall goal is to implement bold and measurable reforms to reverse the unemployment trend, creating dignified, productive, and well-paid jobs for Ghana’s youth.