There is a wave of young people leaving Sub-Saharan Africa and especially West Africa, driven by a desperate search for opportunities and a life free of unemployment, even if it is in a paddock. The region, where over three-fifths of the jobless population are under 25 years old, faces an exodus of youth unemployment, which breeds a dangerous revolution.
The African youths face a difficult job market situation. The African Development Bank reports that one out of every three youths are either jobless or have left the labour force completely. The informal sector is recorded as the major employer in the country, yet often accompanied with low wages and working conditions that are dismal. The socio-economic weaknesses of the continent will be aggravated unless urgent reforms are implemented. The education systems do not provide graduates with the relevant skills to meet market demands, therefore, exacerbating the problems. While cities give some hope, rural areas are abandoned with few employment generation activities.
I would say we are one of the hopeless and dispirited generations after enslaved Africa and independent Ghana. “It is a vicious cycle of hopelessness,” says one young Ghanaian entrepreneur who has moved on to establish his own business upon not getting a job. “Many of my friends have left for Europe or other parts of Africa, hoping for a better life and they never want to come back until they make it. But it’s a risky gamble.”
The International Organization of Migration (IOM) records that there is a marked rise in irregular migration in the region of West Africa. Youths are risking their lives by trying to cross the Sahara Desert and the Mediterranean Sea. They are driven by a combination of economic hardship, global warming, insecurity, and the promise of the “better life” in the foreign countries.
Despite the fact that the remittances made by migrants are a help to the families when sent back, the long-term impacts are devastating. West Africa loses its skilled youth, leaving a gap in its workforce. Migrants also face the risk of human trafficking, abuse, and even death.
Governments are trying to address the problem. Initiatives like Ghana’s YouStart, Nigeria’s N-Power, and Senegal’s PSE-Jeunesse aim to provide skills training and employment opportunities. However, these programs are often underfunded, have limited reach, and fail to address the deeper social and cultural factors driving migration.
The Way Forward
Considering the situation, there should be a more comprehensive approach, focusing on:
Skilled-Based training: The programs should be developed to correspond with the needs of the business community, especially in the growing industries like agribusiness, renewable energy, ICT and the creative economy.
Legal Migration Pathways: ECOWAS ought to expand on its efforts to identify and designate secure and legitimate migration routes throughout the African continent.
Entrepreneurship Support: To give life to local startups, governments should either partner with private entities or provide the viable environment for private investments in innovative hubs, microfinance, and digital market networking services.
Youth Engagement: The youth should be given the opportunity to take part in developing and assessment of policies for migration and employment. This can be done through townhall meetings, workshops, etc., where they share their experiences on real-life happenings and co-create systems that answer their problems.
Reintegration Support: Programs meant to reintegrate persons who have returned back should be more than just providing financial assistance. The trauma that comes with failing abroad and the stigma attached to returning home with nothing must be met with psychological support, long-term reintegration strategies, and education programs intended to train them with skills to make them comfortable and help them start a sustainable life.
Conclusion
This is the slave trade resurfacing as the allure of greener pastures at the acceptable will of the enticed ones (migrants). Considering the exodus, West Africa is promised a future hanging on a pendulum swing situated on a precipice. However, through private partnerships, skill training, entrepreneurial support, and free market engagements, youth unemployment can be tackled, creating opportunities at home for an economic advantage.
Article by
Nii Lamptey Klokpah
He holds a degree in Political Studies from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. With a deep interest in innovation, technology, agriculture, and philosophy, he is driven in a firm belief that Africa’s future must be shaped by its own people through inclusive, forward-thinking approach.
