Story By: Emmanuel Anyigba
THE MEMBER of Parliament for Afadjato South, Hon. Frank Afriyie, has called for increased investment in Ghana’s young people, saying they remain the country’s greatest asset and the key to its future development.
Speaking in Parliament during a debate to mark World Population Day 2026, Hon. Afriyie said this year’s theme, “Investing in Ghana’s Future Through Healthy, Skilled, and Empowered Young People,” highlights the urgent need for government, development partners and other stakeholders to give greater attention to the welfare, education and empowerment of the youth.
He noted that young people possess the energy, creativity and talent needed to drive Ghana’s development and should therefore be given the right opportunities to succeed.
According to him, the official World Population Day statement makes it clear that people are at the centre of sustainable development, making it necessary for the country to invest in its youth to secure a stronger and more prosperous future.
Hon. Afriyie also pointed out that World Population Day draws attention to major global population issues such as gender equality, child and maternal mortality, and population growth. He said addressing these challenges requires collective action to ensure inclusive and sustainable development.
Touching on Ghana’s situation, the Afadjato South lawmaker described youth unemployment as one of the country’s biggest challenges. He warned that the increasing number of unemployed young people could become a national security threat if urgent steps are not taken, noting that the youth unemployment rate stands at about 32 per cent.
Despite the challenge, he praised the government for introducing programmes aimed at creating jobs and expanding opportunities for young people. He expressed confidence that these initiatives would help reduce unemployment and improve the lives of many Ghanaian youth.
Hon. Afriyie concluded by urging government, the private sector, development partners and civil society to continue investing in young people, stressing that empowering the youth is the surest way to secure Ghana’s long-term growth and prosperity.
Source: Nationaltymes.com
