Ghana’s Education Minister, Haruna Iddrisu, has warned that rising youth unemployment poses a major risk to the country’s economic and social stability, describing the situation as a “ticking time bomb.”
“Unemployment remains a ticking time bomb. We need to find urgent answers and solutions to address the growing youth unemployment,” Iddrisu said in an interview on Channel One TV on Dec. 24.
The minister noted that while more young people are completing secondary, tertiary, and vocational training, job creation has not kept pace with the expanding labor force. He cautioned that the mismatch between education and labor market demand risks leaving graduates either under prepared for available jobs or unemployed for extended periods.
The Tamale South MP urged coordinated action by government, private industry, and educational institutions to align skills development with employment needs. “Failure to address the mismatch between training and employment opportunities risks producing graduates who are either ill-prepared for available jobs or face prolonged periods of joblessness,” he said.
He also called for policy reforms and investment in sectors capable of absorbing large numbers of young workers, warning that inaction could exacerbate inequality and social tensions. “Tackling youth unemployment must remain a national priority,” Iddrisu said. “Only practical and long-term solutions can secure sustainable livelihoods for Ghana’s growing youth population.”
