Accra: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has urged Ghana to prioritise youth employment, warning that rising joblessness could undermine economic gains, peace, and security. The agency highlighted that unemployment among young people risked fueling social unrest, radicalisation, and conflict, despite Ghana's reputation for stability.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Niloy Banerjee, UNDP Resident Representative in Ghana, emphasized the importance of youth employment in maintaining national stability. In an interview, he remarked, "In a country where young people are fully employed and busy - they are not agitated, fighting or picking up arms." He underscored that youth employment should be treated as a national security priority, especially as parts of West Africa and the Sahel region faced increasing instability.
Data from the Ghana Statistical Service indicates that unemployment fell from 13.7 percent in the first three quarters of 2024 to 12.8 percent in 2025. However, about 1.3 million people aged 15 to 24 remained out of work, education, or training. Mr. Banerjee warned that Ghana's growth trajectory and its aspirations could be jeopardized if peace and security are not maintained.
He further stressed the importance of sustained peace to protect progress in entrepreneurship, digital transformation, and macroeconomic management. Mr. Banerjee called for stronger support for small and medium-sized enterprises to expand job opportunities and advocated for policies linking community-level initiatives with national development strategies.
Additionally, he emphasized the need for institutional vigilance and autonomy, highlighting the role of bodies such as the central bank and electoral authorities in maintaining economic stability through political transitions. "Protecting institutional autonomy ensures continuity of sound economic management even during electoral transitions," he stated.
Mr. Banerjee advocated for a combined approach involving law enforcement, community engagement, institutional strengthening, and youth empowerment. He noted, "Economic inclusion of young people is directly tied to maintaining peace and preventing instability. Youth empowerment as a peace strategy - By engaging disillusioned youth in entrepreneurship and innovation, the risk of unrest is reduced."
The UNDP's youth programmes in Ghana have reportedly reached 12,000 participants through training, mentorship, and enterprise support, surpassing an initial target of 6,000. This initiative underscores the importance of addressing youth disillusionment to safeguard Ghana's stability and future development.