Unemployed youth a national security threat – Dr Ofori Sarpong backs Work Abroad Programme as solution

Serial entrepreneur and the Chief Executive Officer of Special Investments Group, Dr Ernest Ofori Sarpong, has cautioned that Ghana’s growing youth unemployment crisis is a “ticking time bomb” that poses a serious threat to national security.

Delivering the keynote speech at the launch of the Work Abroad Programme on March 18, 2025, he warned that failure to create structured employment opportunities could lead to social unrest and economic instability.

“A restless, unemployed youth population is a national security threat. If we fail to provide opportunities for them, we risk facing dire consequences,” he said.

Dr Ofori Sarpong noted that despite Ghana’s abundant natural resources, its greatest asset remains its young people, many of whom are “underutilised, underappreciated, and in many cases, left without hope.”

He revealed that over 14% of young Ghanaians are unemployed, while many more are underemployed, stuck in low-paying jobs that do not match their skills or aspirations.

To address this challenge, the Work Abroad Programme has been introduced to help Ghanaian youth secure legal, dignified employment in Europe.

The initiative, a partnership between the Ghanaian-European Centre and the Government of Ghana, aims to link the country’s skilled but jobless workforce with labour shortages abroad.

Dr Ofori Sarpong described the programme as an avenue to not only create job opportunities but also equip young professionals with international experience that will benefit Ghana in the long run.

“This is not just about sending people abroad to work—it’s about giving them global exposure and skills so that when they return, they become assets to our national development,” he said.

Addressing concerns about brain drain, Dr Ofori Sarpong assured stakeholders that the programme has been designed as a circular migration model, allowing Ghanaian workers to gain experience abroad while maintaining ties to their home country.

“We are not losing talent; we are refining it. Our young professionals will return with enhanced skills, experience, and financial resources to contribute to Ghana’s progress,” he stated.

Dr Ofori Sarpong urged the government, private sector, and international partners to support the initiative to ensure more young Ghanaians access structured employment opportunities.