The Rising State Of Youth Unemployment In The Jirapa District And Its Impact On Development

In the Ghanaian community today, unemployment among the youth is becoming a natural phenomenon. Despite the numerous efforts made by the various governments to deal with this conquer, it is as if little or no successes has been achieved so far.

The Jirapa district is one of the fast growing districts in the Upper West Region and one will assume that growth (development) should be coupled with the creation of jobs but this is rather the opposite. Youth unemployment is one of the major issues that the district has to deal with.

Going round the township of Jirapa one will see many camps created by many of these youth. It is very common to find up to seven young energetic men sitting idle (many of whom being senior high school leavers). The surprising thing is that they waste their time arguing over unproductive matters instead of things that will lead to their personal development. At times when they are not engaged in unproductive arguments, they are either found playing cards or draft.

To get over their frustration, many of these youth take to alcoholism, with Pito and Akpeteshe been the most abused. People drink off their heads and start to misbehave in the streets. This has contributed greatly to the rising state of careless motor riding on our roads with the consequence effects been accidents.

This situation in which the youth of the town find themselves has become one of the major stumbling blocks to further development in the district. These youth contribute virtually nothing to aid development. Their activities have even led to an increase in crime rate in the district.

It will therefore be prudent if the district assembly in its own little ways initiate programs or job creating activities that will absorb many of these idle youth. Dams should be constructed and many of these youth encouraged to engage in dry season farming and many others. This will enable them contribute their part to the development of the district.

PIUS DOOZIE
(BA HISTORY, KNUST)
[email protected](0206964971)