Accra: Dr Edward Omane Boamah, Minister of Defence, has called for the equitable distribution of jobs across regions to foster inclusive growth and national development. He emphasized that concentrating employment opportunities in capital cities while neglecting underserved communities could lead to conflicts.
According to Ghana News Agency, Dr Boamah made these remarks at the 2nd Sahel Peace Initiative (SPI) National Forum in Accra. He assured attendees that recruitment into the Ghana Armed Forces and jobs under the 24-Hour Economy Programme would reflect regional equity. He stressed that inequality in job distribution could exacerbate tensions in communities vulnerable to violent extremism and terrorism.
The Forum, organized by the National Catholic Secretariat in collaboration with the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS), was themed: 'Political Economy of Conflict in Ghana: Addressing Youth Unemployment as a Catalyst for Security and Social Cohesion.' Dr Boamah expressed his support for the Sahel Peace Initiative and urged for heightened awareness of the regional crisis. He advocated for engaging local communities in security planning and decision-making to build trust and ownership.
According to the World Bank, over 110,000 Ghanaian youth graduate annually, yet more than 12 per cent are unemployed, with a significant portion underemployed. Dr Anthony Yaw Baah, Executive Director of the Kaizen Institute for Labour Economics, highlighted that over one million young people were unemployed and warned of a potential sharp increase by 2030 without radical intervention. He called for national consensus on sustaining job-creation programs, supported by social contracts between citizens and the government.
Ms Anna Lena Sabroso-Wasserfall, Country Director of KAS, noted that Ghana's stability in the Sahel region does not make it immune to conflict. She emphasized that youth unemployment is both a development and political issue, urging strategic initiatives to create sustainable jobs for the growing youth population. She stated that tackling root causes of conflict that transcend borders is essential for lasting peace.
Most Reverend Matthew K. Gyamfi, President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference, described youth unemployment as a national security concern. He underscored the importance of well-articulated policies over slogans in shaping national cohesion, emphasizing the disaffection experienced by jobless graduates.
