The Christian Council of Ghana (CCG) has warned that Ghana risks facing serious social and economic consequences if urgent steps are not taken to provide young people with jobs, skills and meaningful opportunities.
The Council said the country’s growing youth population could become a powerful engine for economic transformation if properly supported, but could also fuel social instability if large numbers of young people remained without education, employment or training.
In a statement to mark International Youth Day, signed by its General Secretary, Reverend Dr Cyril G.K. Fayose, the CCG called on Government, the private sector and civil society organisations to make youth development a national priority.
This year’s International Youth Day is being observed under the global theme: “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations.”
In Ghana, the celebration forms part of a month-long programme being led by the National Youth Authority (NYA) on the theme: “Rebuilding Values, Inspiring Patriotism, Empowering the Youth in the Digital Age.”
Call to tackle youth idleness
The Council expressed concern about the number of young people who could potentially fall into the category of those not in education, employment or training (NEET).
It warned that prolonged idleness among young people could undermine Ghana’s economic progress and create conditions for social instability.
The CCG therefore called for targeted investments in technical and vocational education to equip young people with practical skills that respond to labour market needs.
It also recommended the establishment and expansion of accessible entrepreneurship incubation hubs, youth-focused agricultural incentives and structured mentorship programmes in both corporate and religious institutions.
According to the Council, young people require more than academic qualifications to succeed and should be provided with opportunities to develop entrepreneurial, technical and digital capabilities.
Digital skills must go with values
The CCG also stressed the need to combine digital empowerment with ethical and moral development.
It said the rapid expansion of the digital environment had created opportunities for young people to learn, innovate and build businesses, but had also exposed them to cyberbullying, financial fraud and misinformation.
The Council urged young people to use technology responsibly and channel their creativity towards productive activities, social cohesion and national development.
It said the Church would continue to use its pulpits, youth fellowships and educational institutions to promote hard work, patriotism and responsible use of digital technology.
Church-State collaboration
The Council welcomed recent efforts to strengthen collaboration between religious institutions and government in addressing youth-related challenges.
It commended the Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment (MYDE) for signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Council on youth development.
It also welcomed recent engagements between the CCG leadership and the National Youth Authority, describing stronger cooperation between the Church and State as important to improving opportunities for young people.
The Council said young Ghanaians, despite differences in their social, economic and cultural circumstances, shared common aspirations for dignity, equal opportunities, quality education, decent work and a sustainable future.
“The Ghanaian youth is structurally equipped and spiritually anchored to lead,” the Council said.
It urged young people to recognise that they were not only leaders of the future but active participants in Ghana’s development today.
The CCG encouraged them to apply their talents to community development, civic responsibility and nation-building, while reaffirming its commitment to working with government and other stakeholders to create better opportunities for the country’s youth.
