Growing youth hopelessness threatens security

GHANA’S SECURITY – A CeDI-Africa research

A research conducted by CeDI-Africa reveals a growing level of hopelessness among Ghanaian youth. The situation is borne out of a number of conditions: persistent high levels of youth unemployment, non-delivery of government promises, failure of public services, and the continual reports of increasing corruption in all levels of society. Also, the research establishes a positive correlation between this sense of hopelessness and the general sense of insecurity in the country at the moment. This calls for urgent government attention directed at averting any future eventualities that may push the country below its current level of stability. The finding came out of an ongoing policy-oriented study of the youth unemployment problem in West Africa and its security and developmental implications for the sub-region. We define Hopelessness contextually as one’s lack of the ability to imagine a positive foreseeable future.

2 in 5 youth have a sense of doubt about the ability of the state to create the opportunity for them to make a positive future for themselves; 2 in 5 tertiary educated youth have been looking for employment for 2 or more years without success. 3 out of 5 Basic School drop-outs have no employable skills with which they could take advantage of any opportunities created. It is also observed that loyalty among the youth is fast-shifting from the nation towards political parties. 3 out of 5 youth see commitment to political parties as the surest way to get a share of national resources and opportunities. Some of the effects of this situation is the full-blown political balkanization being currently witnessed in the country. One of the indicators of this balkanization is where criminals are quick to seek and are granted cover under one of the two leading political parties in the country. Recent happenings around the world and even the unrest in Ashaiman on Monday, June 24 should send strong signals for immediate action from all concerned actors in society. It is absolutely urgent for the government to take concrete steps to win back the confidence of the youth and to rekindle their hope in the country.

As a matter of urgency, the daily briefings by the Ministry of Information may serve the government better if it is focused on reporting progress made by government in delivering on the various aspects of the promises outlined in their electoral manifesto and the State of the Nation Address, especially with regards to providing opportunities for the youth. The government should provide monthly, quarterly, and other periodic reports on sustainable jobs created and other new initiatives which are targeted at providing opportunities for the youth. To reverse the trend of political balkanization, the government should ensure fair and open recruitment into the MDAs and all other openings over which the government has influence devoid of political screening and cronyism. Open competitive award of contracts to all Ghanaians devoid of partisan affiliation is also necessary. The government should also publicise any existing opportunities in all sectors of the economy through innovative means to the youth so they may take advantage of them to improve their lives.

For further details, please email _cediafrica@gmail.com_ (mailto:cediafrica@gmail.com) or call Francis-Xavier Kojo Sosu, Esq. (Policy Director, Human Rights & Social justice)

0243 185 333

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