Mr George Opare Addo, Minister of Youth Development and Empowerment, has unveiled a comprehensive five-pillar strategy aimed at addressing the pressing challenges confronting young people across Ghana.
Delivering the State of the Youth Address (SOYA 2025) in Accra, he said the strategy focuses on health and well-being; education and skills training; economic empowerment; civic engagement and community participation; and personal development and leadership.
The address was backed by data from a nationwide survey commissioned by the Ministry to provide evidence-based insights into youth needs.
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“As Minister responsible for youth development and empowerment, I am obliged to initiate a conversation about how our teeming youth are faring. This will allow us to craft appropriate policy responses to inspire, equip, and empower the youth of Ghana,” he stated.
Mr Opare Addo emphasised that the agenda forms a critical part of President John Dramani Mahama‘s “Reset Agenda,” noting that the youth represent both the nation’s current strength and the foundation for a resilient and inclusive future.
Key Policy Actions
The Minister highlighted several measures to be implemented:
- Education Reform:
The Ministry will collaborate with relevant agencies to standardise educational curricula with strong industry input. Partnerships will be strengthened with the private sector, including the Association of Ghana Industries and the Ghana Employers’ Association, to introduce structured workplace learning and graduate employment programmes. - Enhancing Employability:
Together with the Ministry of Education, reforms will embed work-readiness, entrepreneurship, and digital skills across secondary and tertiary programmes to better prepare graduates for the labour market. - Supporting MSMEs and Start-ups:
The Ministry will work with SSNIT, the Registrar of Companies, and the Ghana Revenue Authority to streamline compliance processes for micro, small, and medium enterprises. Incentives will soon be rolled out for companies that hire, train, and retain graduates. - Urban Youth Employment:
Agencies such as NEIP, the Youth Employment Agency, the National Service Authority, and the National Youth Authority will establish city-level skills hubs aligned with industry demand. The National Apprenticeship Programme and the Adwumawura Programme are expected to equip many young people with relevant skills for employment. - Domestic Care Sector Opportunities:
The Ministry will formalise domestic care services to create quick employment pathways for young women, in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour.
Mr Opare Addo encouraged young people to take full advantage of ongoing programmes through active participation, continuous learning, volunteering, and entrepreneurship.
He urged them to avoid habits that undermine their potential and instead prioritise discipline, integrity, and long-term growth.
“This engagement is not to paint a gloomy picture but to restore hope. Government under President Mahama is committed to fixing the gaps and creating the conditions for our youth to succeed,” he said.
The Minister also called on development partners to align their support with national priorities and ensure funded programmes reflect the aspirations and needs of Ghanaian youth.
