In the wake of the latest report by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS), there is a growing wave of public concern regarding the alarming state of unemployment in the country.
According to the Ghana Statistical Service latest report over 1.9 million youth are without employment, education, or training, while 1.2 million females and over 790,000 males also fall into the same category.
The GSS has projected that the situation could become even more dire if the government fails to act swiftly.
The General Secretary of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), Thomas Musah Tanko, in a fervent call to action, warned political leaders against the dire implication of youth unemployment if urgent action is not taken.
In his remarks, Mr Tanko stressed that failure to address the unemployment crisis could lead to significant unrest before the end of the year, highlighting the GSS report on job creation in Accra, which painted a bleak picture of the current employment landscape.
“The constitution says sovereignty resides in the people, so if people should commit their sovereignty and delegate that power to you to act for and on their behalf, you cannot say that you have delivered. When you have delivered, they know because they are the principals, so what I am saying is that we are sitting on a time bomb”.
Thomas Musah Tanko, General Secretary of GNAT
Call to Urgent Action
Furthermore, Mr. Tanko highlighted the urgent need for measures to alleviate the situation, asserting that “Whatever we can do to take the youth out of this situation, it must be done, and it must be done now”.
The General Secretary of the Ghana National Association of Teachers also stated, “Let no politician take this thing for granted, underscoring the critical need for the government to take urgent actions to address the alarming unemployment situation in the country.
He pointed out that while the government has implemented various policies aimed at job creation, these efforts have not been sufficient.
“When your policies are doing well, the people themselves will tell you. What you see here is a clear indication of danger. Nobody should praise himself; this one is a clear danger”.
Thomas Musah Tanko, General Secretary of GNAT
Mr Tanko, while citing the GSS report, which underscored the urgent need for immediate action to prevent the situation from worsening, called on President Akufo-Addo and the ruling government to take proactive steps to forestall any impending danger.
In an earlier caution, the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Honorable Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin voiced his concern about the state of youth unemployment in the country.
The former Member of Parliament for Nadoli Kaleo warned that the persistent lack of job opportunities could lead to demonstrations and agitations, especially with the upcoming elections on the horizon.
The GNAT General Secretary’s call for urgent action, in addition to Speaker Bagbin’s earlier caution underscores the weight of the growing calls for immediate and effective government intervention regarding Ghana’s unemployment situation.
There is a clear and present need for comprehensive policies that go beyond mere promises.
The government must adopt a multifaceted approach that includes not only job creation but also education and training programs to equip the youth with the skills needed for the evolving job market.
As the situation stands, the figures from the GSS serve as a stark reminder of the challenges facing the nation.
With 1.9 million youth in limbo, the time for action is now, and the government must heed the calls from leaders like Mr Tanko to ensure a stable and prosperous future for Ghana’s youth.
The alternative, as highlighted by Speaker Bagbin and echoed by Mr Tanko, is a path fraught with potential unrest and instability, which the nation can ill afford.
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