BOLGATANGA: In the Upper East Region of Ghana, the issue of youth unemployment is raising concerns about its potential link to violent extremism. Residents like Mr. Mathias Ayonsey worry about the wellbeing of family members, such as his younger brother, who left for the south in search of employment but has vanished under mysterious circumstances. These personal stories are unfolding amid broader concerns about the region's youth being lured into extremist groups due to economic desperation.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Ayonsey shared a troubling account of his brother Andrews, who, despite his training as a nurse, remained unemployed for two years. After receiving financial help from a relative, Andrews left home, later sending cryptic voice notes claiming he had found work abroad but refusing to disclose his location. The family fears he may have been radicalized, given the uncharacteristic secrecy and repetitive, coached messages in his communications. Similar stories of youth being lured with false promises have emerged in the region, including accounts of women being deceived into traveling abroad for non-existent job opportunities, only to find themselves detained in foreign countries.
The problem is exacerbated by the high unemployment rate among Ghana's youth. Ghana Statistical Service reports that as of the first three quarters of 2023, the country's unemployment rate stood at 14.7 percent, with youth aged 15 to 35 years comprising 77.4 percent of the unemployed population. This severe lack of opportunities makes young Ghanaians particularly vulnerable to extremist recruitment, as highlighted by a 2023 UNDP study which identified youth unemployment as a key driver of radicalization in Northern Ghana.
Organizations have attempted various interventions to address the issue. Programs like the Nation Builders Corps and Planting for Food and Jobs aimed to provide employment but have had limited reach. Additionally, the Peace Council, with UNDP support, has worked on building youth resilience against extremism. Despite these efforts, the situation remains dire, with many young people still unable to find stable employment or economic security.
Experts like Mr. Mutaru Mumuni Muqthar of the West Africa Centre for Counter Extremism emphasize the urgent need for more effective strategies. He points out that 23 youth were prevented from joining terrorist groups through the center's interventions, all citing unemployment as a primary motivator for their initial interest in extremism.
To combat this growing threat, it is imperative that the government and stakeholders invest in long-term solutions. This includes enhancing education, developing skills, and creating sustainable job opportunities to prevent the youth from falling into the lure of radical groups. Sustaining and expanding these initiatives beyond electoral cycles could be pivotal in reducing the vulnerability of the youth and securing a peaceful future for the region.
