Constance Swaniker, Founder and President of the Design and Technology Institute (DTI), has urged Ghanaian youth to embrace artificial intelligence (AI) and cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset. This call aims to ensure their competitiveness in the rapidly evolving global job market. The DTI Jobs and Opportunities Fair in Accra highlighted the urgent need for young people to adapt to technological advancements.
This initiative directly addresses Ghana's persistent youth unemployment challenge. Ghana Statistical Service figures show that unemployment among persons aged 15 to 24 stands at 32.5 percent. More than 1.3 million young Ghanaians are currently not in employment, education, or training. This significant gap between job seekers and available formal positions underscores the critical need for skill development.
The broader economic context reveals a stark reality across Africa. Between 10 and 12 million young people enter the labour market annually. They compete for only about 3 million formal jobs. This imbalance creates immense pressure on educational and training institutions to equip youth with relevant skills. DTI aims to bridge this gap by training young people for the economy that exists today and the one that is emerging.
Ms. Swaniker, citing World Economic Forum projections, noted that automation and AI could displace approximately 85 million jobs globally by 2030. However, these same technologies are expected to create 97 million new roles. This projection reinforces the necessity for continuous learning, upskilling, and reskilling. The Deputy Director-General of the Commission for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (CTVET), Mr. Anthony Kwame Seyram Zu, reaffirmed CTVET's commitment to promoting skills development and AI as key pillars of Ghana's TVET transformation.
The implications for Ghana's economic future are profound. Failure to equip its young population with AI and technical skills risks widening the unemployment gap and hindering economic growth. Decision-makers must prioritize investment in technical and vocational education and training (TVET) programs. These programs should focus on emerging technologies. The success of initiatives like the Accra Floods Hackathon, which challenged participants to develop AI-enabled solutions for urban resilience, demonstrates the potential of Ghanaian youth when given the right tools and opportunities. This focus on practical, industry-relevant skills will be crucial for Ghana to harness the benefits of the digital economy.
The DTI fair, themed 'Navigating Skills, Careers and the Future of Work: Preparing Young People to Thrive in an AI-Enabled World,' brought together various stakeholders. These included academia, industry leaders, employers, policymakers, and students. Since its establishment in 2016, DTI's industry-led training programmes have contributed to over 41,000 employment and entrepreneurship opportunities across Ghana. Over half of its learners are young women, highlighting its commitment to inclusive development. Dr. David King Boison, CEO of the Knowledge Web Centre, encouraged young people to view AI as a tool for innovation rather than a threat. He emphasized that combining technical expertise with AI literacy is essential for career advancement and solving local problems.