Let’s resolve youth unemployment
A study by the World Bank points to a very disturbing situation regarding the state of youth unemployment and the fact that much more effort is required to safeguard the future of the youth.
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It has been estimated that the economy needs to create about 300,000 new jobs annually between now and 2020.
Anything short of that is likely to exacerbate the youth unemployment rate, with serious attendant consequences for national development.
While this is disturbing and discomfiting news, it is a realistic portrayal of the situation in which the country finds itself with regard to youth unemployment.
Ghana can boast a number of tertiary and professional institutions that have produced and continue to produce a huge number of graduates who are primed to take up jobs in order to start careers and family lives.
Regrettably, a good number of these young people have faced one disappointment after another when they submit their applications, attend interviews and become expectant of employment, only to be met with notices to the effect that they failed to make it.
Calls have been made for the re-orientation of the focus of the country’s educational system to reflect the exigencies of the time, especially when it comes to job creation.
The Daily Graphic holds the view that instead of training our graduates to become dependent on the state for jobs, the various educational programmes at all levels need a second look to bring them at par with the demands of the job market.
That way, we will create a good number of entrepreneurs with the capacity to push forward economic development in a manner that brings the needed fulfilment to all segments of society.
Meanwhile, we are also of the view that the country can achieve that illustrious dream when the government makes an unwavering commitment to the task of creating the enabling environment to encourage the spirit of entrepreneurship.
The private sector can also complement this national effort by undertaking regular interactions with our students in tertiary institutions and mentoring them on how to start their businesses after completing their education.
Much needs to be done if we are to avert the unpleasant situations that will be occasioned by our failure to take the needed steps to save our country from what could effectively reverse the clock of progress.
It is needless to remind ourselves that the unemployment situation is gradually becoming a national security concern and the earlier action is taken, the better it will be to safeguard the peace and stability of our country.