“Start something small on your own” — Government Statistician urges youth

The Government Statistician, Dr. Iddrisu Alhassan, has called on young people to take greater personal initiative and start something small on their own as a practical way of addressing the country’s persistently high youth unemployment rate.

Dr. Alhassan made the call in an exclusive interview with Thinknewsonline.com on the back of the release of the 2025 Quarterly Labour Force Survey, which was published on Thursday by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS).

According to the survey findings, youth unemployment remains significantly high at about 32 percent, more than double the national unemployment rate of 13 percent.

In addition, the number of young people who are not in employment, education, or training (NEET) stands at approximately 1.34 million, a figure Dr. Alhassan described as deeply concerning.

He stressed that while government, the private sector, and other stakeholders must intensify efforts to create jobs, young people themselves also have a responsibility to take advantage of available opportunities.

He encouraged the youth to invest in continuous learning, particularly in emerging and fast-growing sectors such as information technology and digital services, where entry barriers are relatively low.

Dr. Alhassan noted that government initiatives, skills programmes, and short-term employment opportunities even when temporary can help young people acquire practical skills and work experience that improve their employability over time.

Beyond formal employment, the Government Statistician urged the youth not to wait indefinitely for jobs in the public or private sector.

He explained that with relatively small capital ranging from GH¢1,000 to GH¢5,000, young people can start small businesses based on their existing skills and gradually expand them.

He further highlighted the availability of micro-credit and small-scale financing schemes designed to support young entrepreneurs, encouraging the youth to take advantage of such support rather than resorting to risky alternatives, including irregular migration.

Dr. Alhassan emphasized that many successful businesses in the country began on a small scale and grew over time, adding that self-initiative and entrepreneurship remain critical tools for reducing unemployment and building sustainable livelihoods.

He concluded by calling for a collective national effort to address youth unemployment, stressing that empowering young people to create their own opportunities is key to driving inclusive economic growth.

Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith and Hawa Abubakar