The Paramount Queen of the Alavanyo Traditional Area, Mamaga Ametor Hoebuadzu II, has called for sweeping reforms in Ghana’s educational system, financial structures, and regulatory environment to address the country’s deepening youth unemployment crisis.
In a strongly worded press statement, Mamaga Ametor warned that the nation’s failure to provide meaningful employment opportunities for its growing youthful population poses a major threat to Ghana’s socio-economic stability and long-term development.
She noted that, despite the intellectual and creative potential of Ghana’s youth, many continue to struggle to find sustainable livelihoods due to systemic challenges, including an outdated educational system and financial and bureaucratic barriers that stifle entrepreneurship.
According to her, one of the fundamental causes of unemployment in the country stems from the current educational structure, which she believes is out of touch with modern economic realities. She argued that Ghana’s transition from a four-year to a three-year secondary education system has deprived students of the time needed to acquire critical skills, self-awareness, and intellectual maturity.
“It is evident that Ghana’s transition from a four-year to a three-year secondary education system has had unintended consequences,” she stated. “The shorter duration limits the time available for students to build essential competencies, discover their talents, and develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills.”
She therefore called for a national review of the educational structure and a return to the four-year secondary school system, emphasising that the extended period offers stronger academic grounding and emotional development for students.
Mamaga Ametor further advocated for an education system that is skills-oriented and industry-driven—one that integrates entrepreneurship, digital literacy, and innovation across all levels of learning. She emphasised the need for increased investment in technical and vocational institutions to produce a generation of skilled artisans, technicians, and innovators who can drive Ghana’s industrialisation and job creation efforts.
On the issue of entrepreneurship, the Alavanyo queen expressed concern about the limited access to finance for young business owners and startups. She lamented that many young people with innovative ideas are unable to secure funding because of strict banking requirements, lack of collateral, and high interest rates.
“There is an urgent need for the creation of youth-friendly financial schemes that offer low-interest loans, mentorship, and business development support,” she said. “Without access to financial resources, our youth cannot transform their creativity into sustainable ventures.”
Mamaga Ametor proposed that the Bank of Ghana and other financial institutions develop inclusive credit facilities tailored to the needs of young entrepreneurs, particularly in sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and technology—areas she identified as holding the greatest potential for mass employment.
She also criticised the bureaucratic hurdles that discourage business registration and product licensing in Ghana, particularly processes overseen by the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) and the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA). While commending these agencies for safeguarding public safety and product quality, she argued that their procedures remain too complex and costly for startups.
“Simplifying these procedures, without compromising safety and quality standards, will encourage more young entrepreneurs to formalise their businesses,” she emphasised, adding that dedicated youth support desks within these agencies could help guide small-scale producers through registration and licensing.
In a passionate appeal, Mamaga Ametor stressed that solving Ghana’s unemployment crisis requires collective national action.
“This challenge cannot be solved by the government alone,” she said. “It requires the collaboration of educational authorities, financial institutions, regulatory bodies, private sector players, and civil society organisations.”
She urged the Ministry of Education to review and restore the four-year secondary education system, the government to prioritise technical and vocational training, and financial institutions to design flexible youth-oriented credit schemes.
She further called on regulatory agencies such as the FDA and GSA to simplify their operations and introduce youth business support programs.
Mamaga Ametor reaffirmed her commitment to supporting all initiatives that promote youth empowerment and national development.
“Ghana’s future depends on the strength, creativity, and productivity of its youth,” she declared. “By reforming our educational system, improving access to finance, and easing regulatory barriers, we can turn unemployment into opportunity. It is time for decisive leadership, innovative policy reforms, and genuine collaboration to ensure that every Ghanaian, especially the youth, can contribute meaningfully to national progress.”
The Paramount Queen’s call comes at a time when Ghana continues to grapple with rising unemployment rates and growing concerns over whether its education and economic systems are adequately preparing young people for the future.
Source: NewsAlertGH
