Ghana faces 12% youth unemployment and over 50% underemployment



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The country faces 12 percent youth unemployment and more than 50 percent underemployment, a new World Bank report revealed.

This is higher than the general unemployment rates in sub-Saharan African countries.

Despite significant investments from both the government and the private sector, this challenge will intensify if job opportunities remain limited.

To address youth unemployment, the report highlights the importance of having disaggregated data on youth seeking employment by location, gender, skills and abilities to inform policy and funding decisions. There was also a need to respond with appropriate and personalized employment programs.

The report is accompanied by an inventory of public employment programs in Ghana to inform policy makers and stakeholders on the current landscape of youth employment programming.

The report entitled “Youth Employment Programs in Ghana: Options for Effective Policy Making and Implementation” identifies agribusiness, entrepreneurship, apprenticeships, construction, tourism and sports as key sectors that can provide increased employment opportunities for the youth of Ghana.

It also calls for more investment in career guidance and counseling, work-based learning, training and mentoring to equip young people with the skills needed for work.

The report suggests that, although these are not new areas, the government could maximize its impact by expanding these priority areas in existing youth employment interventions and improving outreach to youth.

The youth employment challenge in Ghana is enormous and requires a comprehensive, deliberate and consistent response, ”said Pierre Frank Laporte, World Bank Country Director for Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

“Given the options outlined in this report, future youth employment policy planning must not only address youth unemployment, but must also generate the human capital necessary to sustain Ghana’s economy,” he added.

The authors set out the key priorities for promoting youth employment in Ghana:

  • Importance of aligning formal education programs and skills development initiatives in the context of a rapidly evolving labor market that requires new and different skill sets, and to adapt to new technologies.
  • Partner with the private sector—How to involve employers in the design of training curricula and introduce occupational standards certifications to adapt to the future of work.
  • Integrate pre-employment support activities as part of the country’s current educational system. better prepare young people for the transition to work.
  • Promote social inclusion initiatives improve access to credit and management training for women entrepreneurs, as well as improve the infrastructure and equipment available for people living with disabilities and ensure that no one is left behind.

Furthermore, the report emphasizes the need for greater collaboration between different stakeholders to reduce duplication and fragmentation of youth employment programs.

This report is accompanied by an inventory of public employment programs in Ghana to inform policy makers and stakeholders on the current landscape of youth employment programming.

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