Sunyani: The Right Reverend Dr. Festus Yeboah Asuamah, the Anglican Bishop of the Sunyani Diocese, has called on the government to create sustainable, long-term job opportunities to mitigate threats associated with the growing unemployment rates in the country. He expressed concern that the high youth unemployment rate, with over 1.3 million young people between the ages of 15 and 24 out of work or education, represents a significant national security threat.
According to Ghana News Agency, Rt Rev. Asuamah noted that the rising unemployment rate could potentially fuel crime, political violence, and radicalism. "The lack of job opportunities increases the risk of criminal activities, armed robbery, and social instability," the Anglican Bishop stated when he addressed the opening session of the sixth synod of the church in Sunyani.
Rt Rev. Asuamah cited recent high turnout queues at security services recruitments as a highlight of the desperation among job seekers, as seen at the El-Wak stadium, calling for a national policy shift that prioritizes vocational and technical training. The synod, themed 'Taking up the mantle for mission,' plans Rt Rev. Asuamah's succession ahead of his retirement from active ministry.
He expressed regret that despite growing unemployment, the country still faces entrenched corruption, such as systemic bribery in the public sector and high levels of political corruption. Rt Rev. Asuamah lamented that acts of corruption rob the country of valuable resources required for progressive growth and the sustainable provision of basic services needed to improve the lives of the people.
"When public funds are misused, it's our schools, hospitals, roads, and infrastructure that suffer," he stated, calling on Ghanaians to be actively involved in fighting corruption. Rt Rev. Asuamah added, "While the government needs to re-strategize and confront corruption head-on, ordinary Ghanaians should also get directly involved."
The Anglican Priest also emphasized the adverse effects and impact of illegal mining, expressing concern that the menace continues to persist in the country, with significant environmental, social, health, and economic challenges. Rt Rev. Asuamah stressed that the unregulated, destructive, and often foreign-backed extraction of gold has severe and devastating consequences on the nation's development, manifesting in the destruction of water bodies, massive deforestation, pollution of agricultural land, and significant health risks in local communities.
He emphasized that the fight against illegal mining requires stronger political will, "as some reports suggest the involvement of powerful individuals." The fight must go beyond mere enforcement to addressing the root causes of the crisis, and the government must be proactive by using advanced technology-driven approaches to track perpetrators, Rt Rev. Asuamah urged.