Idle youth: Threat to present and future existence

On Tuesday, July 16, 2024, the Daily Graphic published advocacy by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) regarding the 1.9 million Ghanaian youth Not in Employment, Education or Training (NEET).

The advocacy was in sync with the commemoration of World Youth Skills Day, celebrated annually on July 15.

The Day is set aside by the United Nations General Assembly to raise awareness of the strategic importance of equipping young people with skills for employment, decent work and entrepreneurship.

The theme for 2024 is Youth Skills for Peace and Development, which emphasises the role of the youth in peacebuilding and conflict resolution.

The information about 1.9 million youth NEET was captured in the GSS’s Ghana 2023 Annual Household Income and Expenditure Survey (AHIES).

The GSS re-emphasised this information on the commemoration of the World Youth Skills day last Saturday, July 15.

The GSS states in the AHIES Survey that “the share of youth Not in Employment, Education or Training, conveys the proportion of young persons not in education, employment, or training, as a percentage of the total youth population. The NEET rate provides a measure of youth who are outside the educational system, not in training and not in employment, and thus, serves as a broader measure of potential youth labour market entrants, than youth employment, since the NEET also includes young persons outside the labour force and not in education or training.”

The Daily Graphic commends the GSS for its seminal reports and surveys, ranging from labour to economic statistical information for Ghana's development.

We say, 'ayekoo' to them, for not only bringing out such good reports but for also reminding us all of the critical issues at stake.

The youth of any society represent the future growth, innovation and development forces.

In employment, education or training, we get them functioning optimally and innovating exceptionally as learners, apprentices and  and mentees.

As they function, to the best of their abilities, they impact their respective communities for good.

They contribute their strength, fresh ideas and passion in propelling their communities towards growth and development.

We thus pat the government on the back for implementing various programmes to make the youth productive.  
Reports that the YEA has employed about 100,000 people directly, who have also through their endeavours under the scheme impacted the lives of 500,000 people, is very heartwarming.

The National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NIEP) is also another avenue for ensuring an engaged youth.

It is no wonder, therefore, that though the data announced by the GSS seems scary, it is actually an improvement over what has been recorded over previous years.

We encourage the government to put in more of such efforts to drastically reduce the number of youth NEET, since it is a burden on society. 

They are indeed threats to the security of communities.

In the light of the information by GSS, we urge the government to review all such efforts, and, using data, provide targeted measures such as vocations, apprenticeships and mentorship programmes  that would engage the youth. to erode youth NEET.

We must do all that is possible to shift our youth from idleness to productivity.

The country's future depends on it.