Collins Sefa Entrepreneurship must be at the heart of youth empowerment in Ghana, according to Madam Abla Dzifa Gomashie, Minister for Tourism, Culture, and Creative Arts.
Speaking at a World Population Day event in Accra, she stressed the urgent need to build systems that support young people in becoming self-reliant, innovative, and economically empowered.
“Motivational talks are not enough. Our youth need real opportunities to take charge of their lives through skills development and entrepreneurship,” she emphasized.
The event, held under the theme “Empowering the Youth to Create Quality Families in an Inclusive Society,” brought together government officials, youth leaders, and development partners to highlight the importance of economic independence in building stable families and communities.
Shifting from Speeches to Systems: Support for Youth Entrepreneurship
Madam Gomashie praised former President John Mahama’s initiative to embed skills training within all levels of education, noting that entrepreneurship must be seen as a viable and essential path to employment in today’s economy.
“Unless we nurture talent, teach relevant skills, and support passion-driven ventures, we risk missing out on the greatest engine of our national development — our youth,” she added.
She called for joint efforts from the government, private sector, civil society, traditional leaders, and religious organizations to create an ecosystem that encourages young entrepreneurs to innovate and thrive.
“Telling the youth to dream is not enough. We must create space for those dreams to take root and grow into reality.”
Youth Development Must Be Rooted in Economic Opportunity
Ms. Angelina Kodua Nyanor, Executive Director of the National Population Council (NPC), reiterated that empowering youth must include preparing them for the economic realities of adulthood. She highlighted vocational training, mentorship, and financial literacy as key to shaping a productive generation.
“True empowerment comes when we equip the youth with not only knowledge but also the tools to build sustainable livelihoods,” she said.
She warned that rising youth unemployment, gender-based violence, and drug abuse are symptoms of economic disempowerment — issues that can be curbed through increased investment in youth-led enterprises.
UNFPA Urges Investment in Ghana’s Entrepreneurial Youth
Madam Emily Kamwendo-Naphambo, Deputy Country Representative of UNFPA Ghana, underscored the significance of World Population Day as a time to take bold steps toward economic inclusion.
“Ghana’s real wealth is not found in its natural resources, but in the creativity, resilience, and entrepreneurial spirit of its youth,” she noted.
She described teenage pregnancy — currently at a 15% national rate — as a development challenge, one that limits girls’ access to education and economic freedom. According to her, empowering young people economically is the best way to prevent such setbacks.
Kamwendo-Naphambo encouraged the private sector to support youth startups and look beyond profit, urging them to invest in the potential of Ghana’s next generation.
Entrepreneurship: A Key Pillar for Sustainable Families
With this year’s World Population Day global theme — “Empowering young people to create the families they want in a fair and hopeful world” — Ghana’s focus on entrepreneurship and job creation is timely.
Creating economic pathways for the youth does not only support individuals — it strengthens families, reduces poverty, and promotes inclusive development.
