The Head of the Ghanaian-European Centre for Jobs, Migration and Development, Andreas Berding, has expressed concern about youth unemployment in Ghana.
Andreas Berding
Approximately 14.7 percent of the young population, according to the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS), is unemployed.
The GSS also reported that over 1.3 million young people between the ages of 15 and 35 are struggling to find meaningful employment.
Speaking at the launch of the 2024 Ghana Career and Migration Fair in Kumasi, Berding noted that the unemployment situation is more dire among vulnerable groups, such as young women, who consistently face higher unemployment rates than their male counterparts.
He emphasized that the unemployment rate is not just statistics, but reflects the daily struggles and loss of potential among youth.
To address the situation, he said, the Ghanaian-European Centre for Jobs, Migration and Development has been working to bridge the gap between job seekers and opportunities.
Berding said a key among their initiatives is the annual Job and Career Fair, designed to empower the youth by providing access to resources in digital transformation, entrepreneurship, and skilled migration.
Since its inception in 2019, he said, the fair has successfully linked approximately 16,891 job seekers with 413 employers, paving the way for long-term career development and economic growth.
Arnold Asafu-Adjaye, the Project Manager for Wealth and Jobs Agency described the nation’s unemployment rate as “huge” and urged action, citing national security implications.
He emphasized the importance of the Ghana Career and Migration Fair, scheduled for October 16 and 17, 2024, as paramount in reducing the unemployment rate and needs to be taken seriously.
Mr Frederick Abakah
The Deputy Chief Labour Officer at the Labour Department, Frederick Abakah urged students to consider TVET education when doing school selection.
“I believed that, when we focus on TVET,we will be able to clamp down on unemployment in our country “he said.
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