John Mahama’s address to youth unemployment crisis through strategic agricultural and industrial investments

By  Korsi DZOKOTO

Ghana’s youth unemployment crisis is an urgent challenge that requires a multi-dimensional approach. According to the 2021 Population and Housing Census, nearly one in five young people (19.7%) in Ghana is unemployed.

For youth aged 15-24, this rate surges to 32.8%, with young women disproportionately affected (Ghana Statistical Service, 2021).

This high unemployment rate among young Ghanaians is exacerbated by factors such as inadequate job-relevant skills, skills mismatch, and limited job search experience (Oosterom & Yeboah, 2022; Nilsson, 2019).

In response to this crisis, John Mahama’s 2024 manifesto introduces two pivotal initiatives, Agriculture for Jobs (AfJ) and Rapid Industrialization for Jobs (RIJ), both designed to combat unemployment, modernize agriculture, and stimulate industrial development.

By focusing on agricultural productivity and robust industrial value chains, the manifesto envisions an economy that not only creates jobs but also enhances food security, expands local manufacturing, and offers sustainable career pathways for Ghana’s young population.

Agriculture for Jobs (AfJ): Leveraging Agriculture for Economic Transformation and Youth Employment

The Agriculture for Jobs (AfJ) initiative aims to revitalize agriculture through modernization and targeted investments, turning farming into an attractive, profitable venture for the youth.

Agriculture is the backbone of Ghana’s economy, but low productivity, outdated practices, and insufficient support systems have hampered its potential to be a reliable source of employment. The AfJ initiative is set to address these issues through the following programs:

1. Feed Ghana Programme: Expanding Agricultural Output for Food Security and Employment

The Feed Ghana Programme seeks to increase food production and supply raw materials to local industries. By boosting agricultural yields, the program not only aims to reduce food insecurity but also creates demand across the agricultural value chain—from farmworkers to agribusiness operators and marketers.

This approach aligns with Ghana’s aspirations to reduce food imports, enhance national food security, and strengthen local production.

1. Farmer Service Centres: A Hub for Modern Agriculture Resources

To support Ghana’s transition toward a modernized agricultural sector, Farmer Service Centres will be established in every district. These centers will provide farmers with access to modern agricultural equipment, innovative farming technologies, quality seeds, and other essential inputs.

The goal is to reduce barriers to productivity, giving young farmers the tools to thrive in agriculture and expand their skills. Additionally, the centers are set to offer training programs, positioning the youth to lead a new wave of modernized, high-yield agriculture in Ghana.

1. Farm Banks and Agricultural Zones: Easing Access to Land and Irrigation for Youth Entrepreneurs

Access to land and capital has historically been a significant barrier for young people aspiring to enter the agricultural sector. Mahama’s manifesto addresses this by proposing Farm Banks in agricultural zones.

These banks will simplify the process of acquiring farmland, irrigation, and necessary equipment, making agriculture accessible to young entrepreneurs. By reducing these barriers, the manifesto envisions a dynamic agricultural sector where young people can secure livelihoods and contribute to Ghana’s food security goals.

Rapid Industrialization for Jobs (RIJ): Building Value Chains and Boosting Regional Economies

The Rapid Industrialization for Jobs (RIJ) initiative is designed to complement the agricultural investments under AfJ by adding industrial capacity that absorbs agricultural outputs, transforming raw produce into value-added goods. This not only increases the value of Ghana’s agricultural outputs but also promotes self-sufficiency, reduces import dependence, and provides employment in high-value industrial sectors.

1. Agro-Industrial Zones and Mini-Processing Plants: Localizing Industrial Growth

Under RIJ, the NDC plans to establish Agro-Industrial Zones across all regions, each tailored to the local agricultural strengths. Mini-processing plants will be built to handle commodities like cassava, tomatoes, and fruits, enabling regions to process and market their produce locally and internationally. These processing plants will create jobs not just in agriculture but also in packaging, marketing, transportation, and export, fostering a robust industrial ecosystem.

1. Cocoa and Cashew Processing Plants: Adding Value to Ghana’s Key Exports

Ghana’s cocoa and cashew industries are pillars of its export economy, but exporting raw produce means the country misses out on the higher value of processed goods. Mahama’s vision to establish cocoa processing factories in cocoa-growing regions like Western and Ashanti and cashew processing factories in Bono and Ahafo aligns with the aim to keep more of the value chain in Ghana. This will not only create jobs but also generate additional revenue streams, allowing Ghana to diversify its exports and earn higher foreign exchange.

1. Revitalizing Key Industries: Textile, Cotton, and Poultry Sectors

The RIJ initiative emphasizes revitalizing traditional industries like textiles and poultry, which have historically been constrained by high operational costs and import dependency. Reviving the textile industry, for example, will boost domestic garment production, reduce reliance on imports, and support local cotton farmers.

In the poultry sector, establishing medium-scale animal feed processing plants will stabilize feed supplies and support local poultry farmers, making the industry more self-sufficient and less susceptible to global market fluctuations.

1. Brewing Local Beers and Reviving Strategic Factories

Mahama’s vision includes promoting the production of local beers in regions like Upper East and Upper West, which can support local economies and celebrate Ghana’s unique cultural identity.

This aligns with a broader strategy of using culturally relevant industries to create jobs, foster tourism, and expand the domestic market. Furthermore, the manifesto promises to revive critical factories—such as the Zuarungu Meat Factory, Pwalugu Tomato Factory, and Komenda Sugar Factory—each of which has historically been a job creator and a driver of regional economic activity.

Building a Future-Ready Workforce: Skills Development and Job Security

Beyond the immediate employment benefits, these initiatives emphasize equipping Ghanaians with skills for the future economy. By modernizing agriculture, creating agro-industrial zones, and revamping regional industries, the NDC’s manifesto promotes a multi-generational strategy, providing skills training and economic security to young Ghanaians and enabling them to build sustainable livelihoods in their local communities.

The expansion of agricultural training through Farmer Service Centres and the upskilling in agro-industrial zones will foster a workforce capable of adapting to new agricultural technologies and industrial processes. This emphasis on skill development addresses the prevalent issues of job-relevant skills and the skills mismatch, giving young people the tools to be competitive in both local and global job markets.

Paving the Way for an Inclusive and Resilient Economy

John Mahama’s Agriculture for Jobs and Rapid Industrialization for Jobs initiatives offer a comprehensive framework for addressing Ghana’s employment challenges, particularly among youth.

By aligning agricultural modernization with industrial value chains, Mahama’s manifesto creates an ecosystem where economic growth, job creation, and food security are interconnected. This model not only seeks to address the pressing youth unemployment crisis but also lays the groundwork for a self-sufficient, diversified economy.

These initiatives present a promising future for Ghanaian youth, especially those in underserved and rural areas who have often been excluded from mainstream economic growth.

By providing access to resources, training, and infrastructure, Mahama’s vision empowers Ghana’s youth to actively participate in and benefit from the nation’s economic transformation. This approach is not only a path to reduced unemployment but also a means of cultivating a resilient, inclusive economy where every Ghanaian can contribute to and share in the nation’s prosperity.

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