The Minister for Youth Development and Employment, George Opare Addo, has raised alarm over the escalating issue of youth unemployment in Ghana, warning that the increasing number of young people without jobs, education, or training poses a significant national security threat.
In a recent interview with Citi FM, Opare Addo described the current state of youth unemployment as “alarming,” stressing that it is a problem that should concern all Ghanaians, irrespective of political or social affiliation.
According to the Minister, the government is actively working to address the crisis, but the situation requires collective national action to be properly managed.
“The number of unemployed young people in Ghana is frightening,” said Opare Addo. “It has become a national security issue that demands urgent attention from all of us.” The Minister’s comments follow the release of troubling data from the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS), which reveals that over 1.3 million young Ghanaians between the ages of 15 to 24 were neither in education, employment, nor training (NEET) in the third quarter of 2025.
This represents a staggering 21.5% of the youth population in that age group, highlighting a worrying trend of economic inactivity among the nation’s most vulnerable demographic. The figures have sparked serious concerns over the labour market’s capacity to absorb the growing number of young people entering the workforce, as well as the widening skills gap in key sectors.
Opare Addo pointed out that youth unemployment is directly linked to social instability, as young people without opportunities may become vulnerable to risky behaviours, including involvement in crime or extremist activities. He stressed the importance of investing in youth empowerment initiatives to mitigate these risks and safeguard the country’s long-term stability.
The Minister emphasized that, in addition to the direct economic consequences of high youth unemployment, the broader social implications are also critical. With fewer opportunities for young people to engage in meaningful employment or training, there is a growing sense of frustration and disenchantment among Ghana’s youth.
The government has promised to ramp up efforts to combat the problem through a variety of youth-focused employment programs, vocational training schemes, and initiatives aimed at increasing the employability of young people. This includes bolstering support for technical and vocational education and training (TVET) programs, as well as encouraging the private sector to invest in youth development.
“We are working around the clock to ensure that we create more jobs, enhance skills training, and offer young Ghanaians opportunities to contribute meaningfully to the economy,” Opare Addo reassured the public.
