Nearly 2m youth without jobs, education or training – Sherif Ghali
The President of the Ghana Youth Federation, Sherif Ghali, says nearly 2 million young Ghanaians aged between 15 and 35 are currently not in education, employment or training, underscoring the severity of the country’s youth unemployment challenge.
Speaking at the National Youth Forum on Wednesday, August 19, Mr Ghali noted that unemployment among young people remains considerably above the national average.
He said the youth unemployment rate currently stands at 21.9%, compared with a national average of 12.8%, while the Greater Accra Region records an even higher rate of 31.9%.
Mr Ghali stressed that the figures should not be viewed merely as statistics, but as a reflection of the real struggles young people face in finding work and establishing stable livelihoods.
He illustrated the situation with the example of a young man in Wa who had submitted about 40 job applications without receiving either a positive response or even a rejection.
He also cited the case of a young woman in Kasoa who had completed an apprenticeship but had been unable to raise GH¢1,500 to purchase a sewing machine and start her own business.
Mr Ghali further referenced the large crowds that gathered during a recent KFC promotion offering chicken and fries for GH¢15. He said the scenes, in which young people reportedly pushed against security personnel to access the promotion, should be viewed within the broader context of economic hardship facing the youth.
Rather than dismissing the incident as simply unruly behaviour, he urged stakeholders to examine the economic pressures driving such situations.
Mr Ghali ultimately called for stronger and more sustainable government measures to tackle youth unemployment, expand opportunities and help young people build secure livelihoods.
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