The Ranking Member on Parliament’s Economy and Development Committee, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, has raised concern over what he describes as the worsening youth unemployment crisis in Ghana, arguing that government’s flagship job creation programmes have yet to deliver meaningful impact.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament on Thursday, June 11, 2026, the Ofoase-Ayirebi MP cited Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) data showing that unemployment among young people aged 15 to 24 rose from 32% in December 2024 to 32.5% in the third quarter of 2025.
He further noted that youth unemployment in the Greater Accra Region has reached 49.3%.
He warned that the situation is becoming increasingly serious, describing youth unemployment as a structural crisis rather than a general economic challenge with a youth component.
“The unemployment problem in this country is not a general problem with a youth dimension. It is a youth problem, and the burden is getting worse,” he told Parliament.
Mr. Oppong Nkrumah also revealed that nearly two million young Ghanaians are currently not in education, employment or training, describing the trend as a major threat to social and economic stability.
Questions over flagship job programmes
The Minority lawmaker questioned the effectiveness of key government interventions, including the 24-Hour Economy initiative, the One Million Coders Programme and the Adwumawura Programme, all aimed at addressing unemployment.
He said while these programmes were widely promoted as solutions, their real impact on job creation remains unclear.
On the 24-Hour Economy policy, he said concerns persist about implementation and its capacity to generate sustainable jobs.
He also highlighted strong public interest in the One Million Coders Programme, noting that it attracted more than 90,000 applications within 48 hours of its announcement.
“The One Million Coders Programme received over 90,000 applications in 48 hours, showing the hunger among young people,” he said.
However, he expressed concern about the Adwumawura Programme, stating that although it targets 10,000 businesses annually, only 475 entrepreneurs had received support nearly a year after its launch.
Call for policy review
Mr. Oppong Nkrumah further pointed to the large turnout at a Ghana Armed Forces recruitment exercise in November 2025 as evidence of the depth of the unemployment challenge.
He called for a comprehensive review of Ghana’s employment strategy, including stronger accountability for job creation initiatives, greater private sector involvement, expanded apprenticeship systems and improved labour market data collection.
“Ghanaian youth do not want slogans. They want feasible programmes that create dignified, productive and well-paid jobs,” he stressed.
He urged government to move beyond policy announcements and focus on practical, measurable interventions capable of addressing rising youth unemployment and restoring confidence among young people.
