Accra: The World Bank says Ghana's economic future depends on urgent youth job creation and a smooth transition from education to work. The position was outlined at the 2026 Africa West and Central Youth Forum on Jobs held in Accra on Monday.
According to Ghana News Agency, Michelle Keane, Operations Manager for Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leone at the World Bank, emphasized the crucial role of young people's transition from education into productive employment for the country's growth trajectory. She noted that young people in Ghana are already engaging in entrepreneurial activities, primarily through small-scale businesses, but stressed the need for urgent action to address youth employment challenges.
Keane highlighted the importance of stronger collaboration between the government and the private sector to scale up youth enterprises into sustainable businesses. She warned that the issue of youth unemployment is not isolated to Ghana but prevalent across Africa, cautioning that the continent's growing youth population could become an economic burden without timely intervention.
Speaking on the theme, 'Youth Works, Africa Thrives,' Keane discussed the forum's focus on creating sustainable opportunities for young people and ensuring that systems, institutions, and investments align with their ambitions. She observed that Ghana's entrepreneurial culture, expanding digital ecosystem, and growing small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) sector offer a solid foundation for economic transformation.
However, Keane pointed out that World Bank analysis revealed many SMEs face challenges in achieving productivity and growth due to limited access to finance, weak market linkages, skills gaps, inadequate mentorship, and limited digital access. She urged Ghana to prioritize entrepreneurship, SMEs, and youth-led innovation as central pillars of economic development, given their potential to drive significant job creation.
Keane stated that these issues are integral to Ghana's economic recovery and inclusive growth. She mentioned that the World Bank is supporting Ghana through interventions in human capital development, education and skills, digital connectivity, the business environment, and the inclusion of women and young people in the economy.
She highlighted a US$3 million World Bank-supported project aimed at ending the double-track system in senior high schools (SHSs) and improving skills development for students transitioning into higher education or employment. Additionally, Keane noted that the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the World Bank Group's private sector arm, is collaborating with financial institutions and businesses to expand access to finance, support SMEs, and stimulate large-scale job creation.
Keane called for stronger alignment between policy, investment, and entrepreneurship to deliver sustainable employment, emphasizing that many solutions discussed at the forum lie at the intersection of these areas.