Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment, George Opare Addo, has outlined a new approach to tackling the country’s growing youth unemployment, with a strong focus on skills training and entrepreneurship.

Speaking on Face to Face on Channel One TV on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, Mr Opare Addo described youth unemployment as a “time bomb” that requires immediate action.

He cited a government report showing that youth unemployment had increased from 8.7% in 2016 to 14.7% in 2023, despite multiple employment programmes introduced by previous administrations.

Data from the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) supports this trend, revealing that nearly 1.9 million young Ghanaians aged 15-35 are unemployed, with 38% actively seeking jobs.

The GSS’s 2023 Annual Household Income and Expenditure Survey further indicates that 21% of young people fall under the NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) category, raising concerns about future economic productivity.

Mr Opare Addo argued that fragmented employment initiatives across various ministries had led to inefficiencies and minimal results.

“We have had too many scattered youth programmes, which has reduced their impact. My ministry is working to streamline all youth-related interventions into a centralised, results-driven approach,” he said.

Agencies realigned for better coordination

To improve efficiency, the government has realigned major youth-focused agencies under the Ministry for Youth Development and Empowerment, including the National Youth Authority (NYA), Youth Employment Agency (YEA), National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP), and MASLOC.

Mr Opare Addo believes this restructuring will prevent duplication and ensure that resources directly benefit young job seekers and entrepreneurs.

Skills training and entrepreneurship at the centre of reforms

As part of this new strategy, Mr Opare Addo announced a major push towards practical skills training and entrepreneurship development.

He revealed that the government is working to revamp and complete all 10 National Youth Resource Centres, which will serve as hubs for vocational training, digital skills development, and business incubation.

“Many young people are unemployed not because there are no jobs, but because they lack the required skills,” he said.

“These centres will focus on agribusiness, digital innovation, and vocational training, giving young people the opportunity to start their own businesses or secure meaningful employment.”

The government is also taking steps to improve access to capital for young entrepreneurs, which remains a major challenge. Many youth-led businesses struggle to secure funding due to bureaucratic hurdles and high interest rates.

Mr Opare Addo assured that his ministry, through NEIP and MASLOC, is developing a more transparent system to provide low-interest loans and seed capital for young business owners.

“We cannot afford to fail,” he said. “The youth of Ghana deserve more than just promises , they deserve action, and that is exactly what this ministry is here to deliver,” he added.