Two prominent youth development advocates state that young Ghanaians need greater access to markets and opportunities to translate their skills into jobs. This access is crucial for Ghana to fully utilize its youthful population's potential. Nana Kusi Appiah, Co-founder and CEO of Ghana Fertilizer Limited, and Christabel Odonkor, founder of Youth in Transformative Development Africa (YIDA), made these remarks. They emphasized that young people across all backgrounds share a common desire to contribute and grow their businesses.
Their comments align with International Youth Day 2026, observed on August 12. The theme, “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations,” acknowledges young people's shared goals for quality education and meaningful work. This focus is particularly relevant as Ghana struggles to convert its growing youth population into productive employment. The Mastercard Foundation’s Africa Youth Employment Outlook 2026 highlights key transitions shaping future work. These include a shift from agriculture to services and movement from rural to urban economies.
This situation fits into Ghana's broader economic narrative of youth unemployment and underemployment. Despite various initiatives, many young people find it difficult to secure stable livelihoods. The country's economic growth needs to be more inclusive to absorb the increasing number of young people entering the labour market. Relevant skills and quality job creation remain critical for sustainable development. Prior events and reports consistently point to the need for better integration of youth into the formal economy.
Nana Kusi Appiah, a participant in the Kosmos Innovation Center programme, stressed the importance of market access. He stated, “First and foremost, I'll speak about access to market because we believe the young people have been given the chance, right? We have to be given the opportunity to serve in those markets as well.” Mr. Appiah noted that larger companies often dominate tender opportunities. He advocates for quotas to ensure youth-led businesses can compete fairly in public and private procurement processes.
Providing funding without ensuring access to customers and markets limits the impact of entrepreneurial support programmes. Mr. Appiah explained that without good regulations and opportunities, young businesses access funds but cannot grow. His own experience with the Kosmos Innovation Center programme, supported by the Mastercard Foundation, demonstrates effective targeted support. This programme provided business development skills, boosting his confidence with investors. Ghana Fertilizer Limited has since grown, creating jobs and supporting farmers with local fertilizer.
Beyond entrepreneurship, Mr. Appiah believes Ghana must prepare for a changing labour market. Agriculture, once the largest employer of young people, is gradually declining. The services sector and other emerging industries are becoming more significant. Greater investment in these new sectors, coupled with stronger support for young entrepreneurs, can expand employment opportunities. This approach would also reduce barriers for young people entering the workforce.
Christabel Odonkor highlighted that the challenge extends beyond acquiring skills. She believes young people need platforms to apply their skills and contribute meaningfully to national development. Ms. Odonkor, a communication and development professional, shared her personal struggle. She stated, “One of my greatest challenges was having the potential, but opportunity to utilize the skills that I have.” Programmes like Emerging Public Leaders of Ghana and YALI helped her develop leadership capacity. These interventions are crucial for empowering young leaders.
The call for market access and opportunities has significant implications for Ghana's economic policy. Policymakers must consider implementing procurement quotas for youth-led businesses. They should also invest strategically in emerging sectors to create new job avenues. Decision-makers and markets will watch for concrete steps to integrate young people more effectively into the economy. This integration is vital for long-term economic stability and growth. The government's response to these calls will shape the future of youth employment in Ghana.