Former Trade and Industry Minister Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen has warned that Ghana's growing youthful population could turn into an economic burden if the country fails to generate enough productive jobs. According to him, the young population presents a major opportunity for economic transformation, but only if the economy can absorb the growing number of young people entering the workforce. This, he said, is a pressing concern that needs to be addressed to prevent the country from facing intensifying competition for limited opportunities.
Mr Kyerematen made these comments while speaking at the British Council. He emphasized that Ghana's response must go beyond simply expanding access to education, stressing the need to build an economy capable of creating large-scale, productive employment. This, he believes, is critical to turning Ghana's growing working-age population into an economic asset. The former Trade and Industry Minister linked this to industrialisation, entrepreneurship, and the development of commercially viable businesses.
According to Mr Kyerematen, Ghana's young population can be considered a potential dividend, but only if the economy creates enough formal productive jobs. Otherwise, it becomes a burden, with more and more young people competing for scarce formal employment, and some migrating abroad in search of better prospects. He cautioned that without sufficient formal employment, the country could face significant challenges, including increased competition for limited opportunities.
The issue of youth unemployment is a pressing concern in Ghana, with many young people struggling to find employment. Mr Kyerematen's comments come at a time when the country is grappling with the challenges of youth unemployment. His call for the creation of productive jobs is timely, and it is hoped that the government will take steps to address this issue.
Mr Kyerematen's solution to the problem is to focus on industrialisation, entrepreneurship, and the development of commercially viable businesses. He believes that these are critical to turning Ghana's growing working-age population into an economic asset. This approach is expected to create large-scale, productive employment opportunities, which will help to address the issue of youth unemployment.
The former Trade and Industry Minister's comments have sparked a national conversation about the need to create productive jobs for Ghana's youthful population. Many Ghanaians are calling for the government to take steps to address the issue of youth unemployment, which is seen as a major challenge facing the country. It is hoped that the government will take Mr Kyerematen's comments seriously and work to create more job opportunities for young people.
The issue of youth unemployment is not unique to Ghana, but it is a pressing concern in the country. Mr Kyerematen's comments serve as a reminder of the need for the government to prioritize job creation and economic development. By doing so, the country can turn its youthful population into an economic asset, rather than a burden.
Key points
- Former Trade and Industry Minister Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen warns that Ghana's growing youthful population could turn into an economic burden if the country fails to generate enough productive jobs.
- Mr Kyerematen emphasizes the need for the country to focus on industrialisation, entrepreneurship, and the development of commercially viable businesses to create large-scale, productive employment opportunities.
- The issue of youth unemployment is a pressing concern in Ghana, with many young people struggling to find employment.
