Addressing the growing youth unemployment rate

Ghana’s unemployment rate has climbed to 14.7% in 2023, marking a critical phase for the nation’s economy and its youth.

With a large portion3V of the population under 30, the soaring rate has underscored the urgency for immediate action. The rise in unemployment has been attributed to multiple factors, including the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, a global economic slowdown, and structural issues such as skill mismatches and limited industrial growth.

The youth, who account for the majority of the unemployed, face a grim reality as they struggle to find meaningful opportunities in a competitive labor market. In response, the government has intensified efforts to implement and expand programs aimed at addressing the growing youth unemployment crisis.

Government Interventions: Creating Pathways to Employment

To address this escalating challenge, the government has unveiled and reinforced several initiatives aimed at empowering young Ghanaians, fostering entrepreneurship, and creating sustainable jobs.

1. Youth Employment Agency (YEA): Bridging the Gap

The YEA has expanded its operations to offer more comprehensive services, including skills training and job placements across sectors such as agriculture, ICT, and manufacturing. New partnerships with private sector entities aim to create lasting employment opportunities, particularly in rural areas.

According to Food Business Africa, Youth are being trained in greenhouse farming by YEA in collaboration with agricultural specialists. Vegetables grown by participants in these initiatives, such as peppers and tomatoes, are sold in both domestic and international markets. By running their own greenhouses, participants in this program have been able to move into self-employment.

2. NABCO: Graduate Transition Opportunities

The Nation Builders Corps (NABCo), originally launched to provide temporary employment for graduates, is transitioning into a long-term solution by facilitating permanent placements for trainees in government institutions and private firms.

Graduates of NABCo have been able to find employment in the fields of agriculture, healthcare, and education. For example, the Educate Ghana module’s trainees work as teaching assistants in public schools, helping to fill staffing gaps in underprivileged communities. Likewise, graduates are employed in medical institutions under the Heal Ghana module, which enhances service delivery in rural areas.

3. Investing in Digital Skills

With the digital economy offering significant opportunities, the government has launched initiatives like the Ghana Digital Skills Fund. These programs aim to equip young people with expertise in coding, digital marketing, and e-commerce, fostering innovation and entrepreneurship.

The Ghana Digital Skills Fund helps young people by offering courses in digital marketing and coding. The “Coding for Ghana” initiative, for instance, has given participants programming abilities that allow them to work as software developers or create technological business entities.”

4. Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET): Aligning Skills with Market Needs

The government has prioritized technical education to address the skills gap. TVET centers are receiving significant investments to train youth in high-demand areas such as construction, energy, and technology, ensuring they are better equipped for the job market.

Practical training in trades like car repair, plumbing, and tiling is the main focus of TVET centres. For example, graduates of these programs have found employment in Ghana’s rapidly growing construction sector, helping to build important infrastructure projects like houses and roads.?

Public-Private Partnerships: A Collaborative Approach

Recognizing that government action alone cannot solve the unemployment crisis, efforts to collaborate with the private sector have intensified. Partnerships with international organizations and local businesses have led to the creation of internships, apprenticeship programs, and funding opportunities for startups.

Challenges Ahead

Despite these efforts, significant hurdles remain. The informal sector still accounts for a large portion of employment, often offering low-paying, insecure jobs.

Additionally, the rapid growth of the labor force means that job creation needs to outpace population growth to make a tangible impact. Economic analysts have also highlighted the need for policy reforms to improve the business environment, attract foreign investment, and diversify the economy beyond agriculture and extractive industries.

Looking Forward

As Ghana navigates these challenges, the road to reducing unemployment will require sustained commitment and creativity.

Programs like YEA and digital skills initiatives are steps in the right direction, but the government will need to ensure their long-term effectiveness and scalability. For young Ghanaians, the stakes are high.

Addressing unemployment is not just about economic growth; it’s about creating hope and opportunity for the future of the nation. With continued focus and collaboration, Ghana has the potential to turn its unemployment crisis into a story of resilience and success.

By: Elsie Nana Adjoa Aidoo

The post Addressing the growing youth unemployment rate first appeared on 3News.

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