A recent report by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) has found that approximately 1.9 million youth in the country, aged 15-35, are not in education, employment, or training (NEET). While this represents a significant decline from the previous year, experts warn that the situation remains a threat to national security and economic growth.
According to the GSS’s annual Household Income and Expenditure Survey (AHIES), the number of youth NEET decreased by 5.9% from 24.1% to 18.2% in the third quarter of last year. However, females still constitute the majority of youth NEET, with 1.2 million compared to 715,691 males.
Labour Economist at GSS, Anthony Oduro-Denkyirah, described the data as positive but cautioned that the trend needs to continue to reverse. He noted that some youth may be engaged in “own use production work,” which refers to activities performed to produce goods or services for final use by the producer, their household, and/or family.
However, two other economists, Professor Godfred Bokpin and Professor Peter Quartey, have described the development as a warning signal that needs to be addressed urgently. They argue that having two million youth not engaged in employment is a threat to national security and could affect the real growth rate of the economy.
Prof. Bokpin called for deliberate policies within the real sectors of the economy to absorb the youth, while Prof. Quartey emphasized the need for implementation of policies and programs directed at the youth.
The report also highlighted regional disparities, with the Greater Accra Region having the highest NEET rate of 26.9%. The North East Region had the second-highest rate, with 19.5% of youth NEET.
While the decline in youth NEET is a positive trend, experts warn that urgent attention is needed to address the situation and provide employment opportunities for the youth to contribute to the growth of the economy.
