Accra: Managing Director and Chief Knowledge Officer at the World Bank Group, Paschal Donohoe, has called on Ghana and other developing countries to take critical steps to tackle the growing employment challenges among the youth population. He warned that many low- and middle-income countries are approaching a significant employment challenge, as millions of young people prepare to join the workforce without the necessary skills to secure meaningful jobs.
According to Ghana Web, Donohoe noted that without sustained investment in education, training, and skills development, a large proportion of this emerging workforce could face limited employment opportunities, with broader implications for economic growth and social stability. He therefore urged governments, policymakers, and educational institutions to prioritize reforms that equip young people with practical, job-ready skills aligned with the demands of a rapidly evolving global economy.
Addressing students at the University of Ghana, Donohoe highlighted the scale of the challenge, noting that foundational learning gaps remain widespread across developing nations. He stated, "Across low- and middle-income countries today, seven in 10 ten-year-olds cannot read a simple, age-appropriate text. More than three billion adults have less than lower secondary education, and in the next decade alone, 1.2 billion young people will enter labour markets in developing countries, most without the skills. These are not just numbers; they are lives."
The engagement formed part of a broader visit aimed at interacting with young people on global economic trends, education, and the future of work. Donohoe emphasized that the issues confronting Ghana are reflective of a wider global pattern, underscoring the need for coordinated and forward-looking policy responses across developing economies.