'Work Abroad Programme' to help solve Ghana’s growing youth unemployment — Dr. Ofori Sarpong

Dr. Ernest Ofori Sarpong, Chief Executive Officer of Special Investments Group, has expressed optimism that the recently launched 'Work Abroad Programme' will help address Ghana’s youth unemployment crisis.

Ghana has launched the first phase of its 'Work Abroad Programme', with Romania as the initial destination for skilled workers.

The initiative, spearheaded by the Youth Employment Agency (YEA) in collaboration with the Ghanaian-European Centre and European labour institutions, aims to provide structured employment opportunities while ensuring fair wages and safe working conditions.

Speaking at the launch on March 18, as the chairperson of the event, Dr. Ofori Sarpong, noted that despite Ghana being rich in natural resources, majority of the youth are unemployed.

“This programme marks the beginning of a bold and crucial effort to solve one of Ghana’s most pressing challenges—unemployment,” he stated. “Ghana boasts abundant natural resources such as gold, cocoa, and oil, yet we continue to overlook our greatest resource—our human capital. Our young people, the very backbone of our future, remain underutilized, unappreciated, and, in many cases, left without hope.”

Dr. Ofori Sarpong highlighted the severity of Ghana’s unemployment situation, citing statistics from the Ghana Statistical Service that indicate 14.7% of the youth remain jobless.

He stressed that while the government and private sector can absorb a fraction of this number, many young people, especially those without strong networks, continue to struggle.

“This is more than just an economic problem; it is a national security threat. A restless and unemployed young population is a ticking time bomb,” he cautioned.