Stakeholders urge sustained investment in youth to harness demographic dividend

Ghana must continue investing in youth skills, reproductive health, and drug-abuse prevention to fully capitalize on its demographic dividend, according to stakeholders. Coordinated efforts are required to tackle unemployment, population pressures, inadequate reproductive health services, and substance abuse, which could undermine the benefits of a growing youth population.

During a 2026 World Population Day event, the Regional Director of the National Youth Authority (NYA), William Nortey, emphasized the importance of a healthy, skilled, and empowered youth population in creating employment and contributing to national development. The NYA's National Apprenticeship Programme, currently operating in 24 skill areas, aims to equip young people with employable skills and start-up kits to establish their businesses post-training.

Nortey also highlighted the implementation of programs promoting healthy lifestyles, such as addressing substance abuse. Nana Ama Obuobi-Donkor, the Acting Greater Accra Regional Population Officer of the National Population Council (NPC), stressed the need for collective action to address population challenges in the Greater Accra Region.

She pointed out unemployment, overcrowded classrooms, and limited access to reproductive health services as key issues that could hinder the country's ability to harness its demographic dividend. Obuobi-Donkor called for enhanced access to reproductive health information and services, urging health workers to adopt a more accommodating approach towards young people seeking such services.

Sandra Thompson, Senior Narcotics Control Officer of the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), warned that substance abuse could severely undermine efforts to build a healthy and productive youth population. She emphasized the importance of education and prevention in combating drug abuse, cautioning against peer pressure, curiosity, and misuse of substances like shisha and prescription medicines.

Thompson urged young people to make informed choices and resist negative influences, ultimately stating that a healthy, skilled, and empowered youth population was essential for achieving Ghana's demographic dividend.