Accra: Mr Francis K. Susuawu, a retired Keta/Anloga Municipal Director of the National Youth Authority (NYA), has highlighted Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as an essential strategy for addressing youth unemployment in coastal communities. Speaking on the occasion of World Youth Skills Day, Mr Susuawu expressed concerns over the persistent unemployment and underemployment issues faced by young people in regions such as Keta, Anloga, Denu, and Aflao, despite various government interventions.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr Susuawu noted that the employment situation in coastal areas has shown little improvement in recent months. These communities primarily depend on fishing, petty trading, and small-scale farming, which are often unstable due to environmental changes and market fluctuations, leading to irregular work and low income for many young individuals. He attributed the ongoing challenges to a mismatch between formal education and the practical skills demanded by the job market, limited job creation opportunities, and the prevalence of the informal sector where employment often relies on experience over academic qualifications.
Mr Susuawu emphasized that inadequate access to apprenticeship opportunities, limited start-up capital, and weak connections to job information exacerbate the unemployment problem. He explained that youth unemployment has social and economic impacts, including increased frustration and stress, pressure on families, reduced household income, and decreased demand for goods and services within local economies.
Highlighting TVET as a viable solution, Mr Susuawu discussed its potential to bridge the skills gap and provide young people with employable and entrepreneurial skills. He outlined opportunities in areas such as solar installation, electrical and electronic repairs, masonry, carpentry, building maintenance, tailoring, refrigeration services, fish processing, hospitality, and basic ICT services.
Despite its potential, Mr Susuawu observed that many young people are reluctant to pursue TVET due to negative perceptions of it being for academically weak students and concerns over limited financial returns. He also noted that the lack of structured internship and practical placement opportunities discourages youth participation.
To combat these challenges, Mr Susuawu called for intentional efforts to reposition TVET by showcasing successful graduates, strengthening collaborations between training institutions and industry, upgrading training facilities, and incorporating mandatory apprenticeship placements into training programs. He urged political, traditional, and religious leaders to help eliminate the stigma associated with TVET, mobilize community support, and facilitate connections between young people and practical training and employment opportunities.
Mr Susuawu advised young people to pursue skills in demand in the market, actively seek hands-on training and apprenticeships, and gain practical experience. He encouraged them to start small when capital is limited, continuously upgrade their skills, and leverage networking opportunities to enhance their chances of success.
World Youth Skills Day, established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2014, aims to highlight the importance of equipping young people with skills for employment, decent work, and entrepreneurship.