In a rallying call to Ghana’s young generation, Hon. Dr. Abdul-Rashid Hassan Pelpuo, Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment, has encouraged embracing innovation, entrepreneurship, and cooperative ventures as vital routes to secure livelihoods and drive national progress.
Delivering his message at the African Youth Day Ministerial Youth Dialogue in Accra—centered on the theme “Accountability, Policy, and Youth-led Solutions for National Development”—Dr. Pelpuo spotlighted cooperatives as a resilient model for generating employment and fostering community solidarity among the youth.
He outlined targeted government support:
“If you want to go into mining, we will work with the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources. If you prefer farming, we will link you with the Ministry of Agriculture. For trade and enterprise, we will collaborate with the Ghana Enterprises Agency,” he assured.
Highlighting a shift in youth aspirations, the Minister observed that Ghanaians under 35 are increasingly prioritizing self-empowerment over aid.
“Young people don’t want people to give them money – they want to develop themselves. Many who are unemployed wish to go back to school or acquire skills to be productive,” he said.
Addressing youth advocates’ push for localized employment hubs, he revealed the Ministry’s push toward a cutting-edge Labour Market Information System (LMIS). This digital platform will deliver up-to-the-minute job listings nationwide, enabling seamless online applications.
“The system will allow you to find all available jobs in Ghana and apply electronically. By next year, we expect both regional and district job information desks to be operational,” he stated.
Dr. Pelpuo further unveiled inter-ministerial efforts to streamline graduate placements, apprenticeships, and international work schemes, underscoring the administration’s dedication to safeguarding pathways for Ghanaians pursuing global prospects.
On balancing public hiring with economic realities, he stressed fiscal discipline amid ongoing regularization of teachers and nurses. Yet, he cautioned that government roles alone can’t meet demand.
“Don’t limit yourselves to the public sector—venture into private enterprise and the informal economy,” he advised, adding,
“The formal sector is not the only place to work. Let us think differently, innovate, and create opportunities that are uniquely Ghanaian,” he urged.
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Drawing inspiration from international trailblazers like Facebook, Microsoft, and TikTok—all born from youthful ingenuity—Dr. Pelpuo issued a provocative challenge: Forge solutions tailored to Ghana’s challenges and strengths.
“A young Kenyan developed mobile money, and it transformed Africa. What will the young Ghanaian create for Ghana?” he asked.
In closing, the Minister implored the audience to channel their energy and abilities wisely.
“Youth is a transition – you can’t be young forever. By the time you become an adult, you should have achieved something meaningful,” he advised.