NewzNew Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has called for greater opportunities for young Ghanaians, acknowledging the challenges many face in securing jobs, starting businesses and building a stable future. In a message to mark International Youth Day, Dr Bawumia said young people across Ghana, despite their different backgrounds and circumstances, share common aspirations of finding decent employment, establishing businesses and achieving a dignified standard of living. He noted, however, that these aspirations are being tested by limited employment opportunities and the high cost of establishing and sustaining businesses.
According to him, the difficulties have created uncertainty among many young people about their prospects and ability to build the future they desire. Dr Bawumia described Ghana’s youthful population as one of the country’s greatest assets, pointing to the talent, determination and ambition demonstrated by young people across different sectors. “Different contexts, common aspirations and a shared belief that Ghana can be a place where young people build the future they want,” he said in a Facebook post on Wednesday, August 12.
He further urged stakeholders to maintain confidence in the potential of Ghanaian youth, stressing that policymakers have a responsibility to create opportunities that align with their ambitions and enable them to contribute meaningfully to national development, despite the economic and employment challenges they face. Yesterday, August 12, was recognised globally as the United Nations’ c, a day set aside to celebrate young people and their contributions to society, including nation-building. This year’s theme, “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations,” got me thinking about the Ghanaian youth and what the occasion should really mean to us.
Ironically, it was around the same time that I came across two publications that, in very different ways, had a lot to do with young Ghanaians. The first was about a youth group advocating for the consideration of a third presidential term for President John Mahama. The second was about a coalition of unpaid nurses and midwives presenting fugu to the Minister of Health after receiving payment for 10 of the 11 months of salaries owed them.
At first glance, the two developments may appear unrelated. But when placed against the theme of World Youth Day, they raise some uncomfortable questions about the place of young people in Ghana’s development. On one hand, we have young people mobilising their energy and voices around a political cause.
On the other, we have trained nurses and midwives—young professionals who have served in our health facilities—having to appeal to the authorities for salaries they have already earned. It made me reflect on how young people are often treated in this country. We are constantly told that we are the future and that we have a critical role to play in nation-building.
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