Government Unveils Comprehensive Strategy to Tackle Youth Unemployment

NDC Government Unveils Strategic Plan to Combat Youth Unemployment

The Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment, George Opare Addo, has laid out the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government’s comprehensive strategy to address youth unemployment and stimulate job creation in Ghana.

In a statement on the ministry’s vision, he underscored the crucial role young people play in national progress, emphasizing that their needs must be a priority for any forward-thinking government.

“With Ghana’s population exceeding 30 million, nearly 13 million people fall within the 15 to 35 age bracket. This demographic forms the majority, and any administration that fails to engage them meaningfully is setting itself up for failure,” he asserted.

A Ministry Dedicated to Youth Development

Opare Addo commended President John Dramani Mahama’s decision to establish an independent Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment, a move he believes will ensure youth-related issues receive the attention they deserve. Previously, youth affairs were often sidelined under the broader Ministry of Youth and Sports, where the focus primarily leaned towards football and other sports.

By distinguishing youth development from sports, the government aims to craft policies that directly benefit young Ghanaians, equipping them with the necessary tools for employment and self-sufficiency.

Addressing Key Challenges Facing Young Ghanaians

The minister highlighted unemployment as one of the most pressing issues affecting the youth. However, he noted that the challenge goes beyond job scarcity to include inadequate employable skills, lack of certification, and limited access to opportunities.

One of the major gaps, according to Opare Addo, is the absence of a centralized database on youth employment programs. He revealed that multiple government agencies operate various initiatives targeted at young people, yet due to weak coordination, many remain unaware of available opportunities.

“I was surprised to learn about the number of youth programs being implemented yearly. However, poor information flow means only a few people benefit, often recycling the same opportunities within a small group,” he noted.

A Coordinated Approach to Youth Empowerment

To tackle these inefficiencies, the ministry plans to streamline youth programs across different sectors. Opare Addo criticized the previous government’s fragmented approach, where different ministries ran parallel initiatives with little coordination.

“With a dedicated ministry, our mandate is to consolidate all youth-focused programs under a unified framework to ensure they are efficiently managed,” he explained.

He further stated that his ministry will collaborate with key ministries such as Trade, Agriculture, and Education to harmonize their youth-related initiatives, ensuring young people are effectively directed towards relevant opportunities.

Reducing Redundancy Among Youth Agencies

The minister acknowledged concerns over overlapping mandates between agencies like the National Youth Authority (NYA) and the Youth Employment Agency (YEA). He clarified that while the NYA focuses on skill development and youth inclusion in governance, the YEA is responsible for job creation.

Past administrations, he admitted, failed to clearly delineate these roles, leading to inefficiencies. However, under the new structure, both agencies will now operate under the Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment, ensuring greater synergy and effectiveness.

Boosting Entrepreneurship and Job Creation

A key pillar of the NDC government’s strategy is fostering entrepreneurship as a means to create sustainable employment. Opare Addo highlighted the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Program (NEIP) as a crucial initiative aimed at supporting startups and small businesses.

He acknowledged financial constraints but assured that the government is seeking additional funding from donor organizations, private sector partners, and philanthropic individuals to scale up entrepreneurial support.

“My goal is not to rely solely on government resources. We are engaging development partners and private entities to secure additional funding. Entrepreneurship is the most effective way to combat poverty and create jobs,” he stressed.

The government is also working to create a more supportive environment for startups by ensuring access to capital, mentorship, and market opportunities. Opare Addo argued that traditional nine-to-five jobs alone cannot solve unemployment, and fostering a culture of entrepreneurship is essential for economic growth.

Restoring Investor Confidence and Economic Stability

Expressing optimism about Ghana’s economic outlook, the minister stated that investor confidence is gradually being restored under the NDC government. He noted that policy inconsistencies in the previous administration had caused several multinational companies to exit the country. However, efforts are now being made to promote transparency, stakeholder engagement, and a business-friendly environment to attract investment.

According to Opare Addo, multiple international organizations have expressed renewed interest in supporting Ghana’s youth development agenda. “We are doing things differently more transparency, stronger partnerships, and open dialogue. This has significantly improved confidence in our system,” he remarked.

With a structured approach that includes coordinated policy implementation, streamlined youth programs, and enhanced support for entrepreneurship, the NDC government’s youth empowerment agenda is set to create a more inclusive and sustainable employment landscape for young Ghanaians.