Editorial: Government’s efforts at tackling youth unemployment laudable

The Chronicle yesterday carried a story about the government creating 2.1 million jobs both in the private and public sectors since 2017. According to the Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the public sector had engaged 1.2 million people, with the private sector absorbing 975,000 people.

Dr Bawumia disclosed this when he launched the Business and Employment Assistance Programme, an initiative of the Youth and Employment Agency (YEA), that is seeking to create jobs for 20,000 young people nationwide.

Under the implementation of the YEA programme, there would be GHC500 grant support to 10,000 registered Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMSEs) to empower them to create opportunities and engage more of the youth in their workplaces.

Despite the above achievement of government, The Chronicle is happy the Veep conceded that there is still a large number of youths in the country who require jobs, saying “We have a big job to create more jobs for the young people”.

The Chronicle lauds the government in its efforts at addressing the teeming unemployment in the country. This, coupled with the launch of the Youth Employment Agency’s (YEA) flagship initiative, the Business and Employment Assistance Programme (BEAP), signifies the government’s commitment to creating job opportunities for the country’s youth.

The launch of BEAP, under the auspices of the Youth Employment Agency, is a commendable step towards empowering young Ghanaians with tools and resources to access employment opportunities and foster entrepreneurship. The initiative’s focus on assisting businesses and facilitating employment for the youth holds promise in addressing the pressing issue of job scarcity among this demographic.

However, while celebrating these initiatives, it’s crucial to examine the broader context of Ghana’s employment challenges. Despite the strides made, unemployment remains a significant issue, especially among the youth demographic. The quality of jobs created and their alignment with the skills and aspirations of the workforce are critical factors that need careful consideration.

Sustainable job creation demands a multi-dimensional approach. Investments in education, skills development, and vocational training are essential to equip the workforce with the necessary tools for employment in a rapidly evolving job market. Bridging the gap between industry needs and available skill sets is vital for sustained economic growth and job creation.

Moreover, efforts should also focus on creating an enabling environment for entrepreneurship and small businesses. Access to capital, mentorship programs, and regulatory frameworks that support innovation and enterprise development can spur job creation and economic expansion.

Transparency, data-driven policies, and investments in education and entrepreneurship will be pivotal in ensuring that these initiatives translate into tangible, lasting solutions for Ghana’s employment challenges. As a nation, it’s imperative to remain committed to building an ecosystem that empowers our youth, fosters economic growth and ensures a prosperous future for all Ghanaians.

The YEA Programme and other initiatives are testament to government’s focus on job creation. These initiatives have demonstrated government’s commitment to job creation, and we must all put our shoulders to the wheel to make it successful.

 

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