Ghana has consistently been ranked among the ten fastest-growing African economies, however, unemployment has not seen any significant decrease. Unemployment is a key economic indicator of every country. When the unemployment rate increases in a country, this means that total economic production becomes less. All political campaigns inculcate the issue of unemployment in their manifestos however, this proves futile at their tenure.
The introduction of some policies such as the Step program in the 2000s, the National Youth Employment Programme, Ghana Youth Employment and Entrepreneurial Development Agency, Technical and Vocational Education and Training, National Entrepreneurship Innovation Programme (NEIP), Nation Builders Corps (NABCO) and more recently YouStart have still not been able to address the unemployment situation in the country.
According to CEIC data, Ghana’s unemployment rate increased from 3.37 in 2017 to 3.91 in 2021 which decreased to 3.87 in 2022 where it increased again to 3.92 in 2023. According to Ghana Statistical Service, in the third quarter of 2023, about one million and eight hundred and fifty thousand (1,850,000) Ghanaians were unemployed which represents an average unemployment rate of 14.7%. From a gender perspective, unemployment rate is higher amongst females with 17.7% of economically active females unemployed as compared to the 10.9% unemployment rate amongst males.
This policy dialogue themed, ‘Ghana’s Unemployment Challenge; Creating A Supportive Ecosystem for Entrepreneurs and Retaining Talents for Development’, seek to explore a number of areas related to building an ecosystem that supports entrepreneurs, including market access and credit, regulatory reforms, business incubation centers, mentorship programs, and low taxes. The discussion would also center on ways to keep talented Ghanaians in the nation by providing them with possibilities for professional growth, appealing career paths, and comfortable workplaces.
Join YAFO Institute in building a better future for Ghana. Let us work together to address unemployment by creating a welcoming environment for entrepreneurs and developing local talent for sustained prosperity.
Date: 1st May 2024
Time: 5 pm
Guest Speaker
Dr. Amos Mensah
Agricultural Economist & Lecturer KNUST
Dr. Amos Mensah is a highly qualified and experienced professional in the field of agricultural economics and natural resource management. With a PhD in Agricultural Economics from the Georg-August University Göttingen in Germany, as well as a Master’s degree in Tropical and International Agriculture with a specialization in Socioeconomics of Rural Development, and a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Science.
His areas of specialization and expertise include agriculture and natural resource management, agribusiness and agricultural marketing systems in Africa, analysis of Ghana’s development policies on rural welfare, production economics and farm management, water scarcity and global climate change, and quantitative and qualitative research methods.
He has over 15 years of professional experience in the agriculture sector, working as a consultant, researcher, and public advocate for policy improvement geared towards inclusive rural development.
Dr. Mensah is also a dedicated teacher and mentor, currently serving as a lecturer at the Department of Agricultural Economics, Agribusiness & Extension (DAEAE) — College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) at KNUST Ghana. As a member of the KNUST counselling team, he conducts counselling and mentorship advisory services to students on a variety of topics including time management, academic pressure, career choice and preparation, and mental and emotional health issues.
Panelist
Precious Mondial
Policy Scholar, YAFO Institute
He is a dynamic and goal-driven researcher with a strong background as a dedicated mathematics educator and statistician. He holds MSc. in Applied Statistics at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and a Bachelor of Education in Mathematics (Hons) from the University of Cape Coast. Additionally, he possesses a teaching license from the National Teaching Council of Ghana. With an unyielding enthusiasm for research, he brings valuable insights and analytical expertise, contributing to innovative solutions and pushing the boundaries of knowledge in diverse domains. He is the senior research assistant at the Centre for Public Health, Education and Poverty Reduction and the Centre for Technology and Digital Economy at the YAFO Institute.
Asamoah Kweku Junior
Policy Scholar, YAFO Institute
He holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. He is a researcher at the Centre for Economic Freedom Policy and a policy scholar at the YAFO Institute. He has been involved with YAFO activities as a student having served as the programs and events manager and eventually president at YAFO Campus Hive – KNUST. He is also the development Manager at Yafo Institute and liaises with the entire team to oversee growth projects by creating development plans and identifying market opportunities.
Host
Nathaniel Dwamena
President, YAFO Institute
