Government targets 100,000 jobs through new care economy programme – Opare-Addo

The government is set to introduce a domestic care economy programme in the coming year, according to Youth Development Minister George Opare-Addo. The initiative, projected by Opare-Addo, aims to generate approximately 100,000 jobs. This new programme is part of the government's broader strategy to address unemployment, especially among the youth, as Ghana faces a burgeoning youth population.

While recent statistics from the Ghana Statistical Service show a general decline in unemployment, Opare-Addo highlighted that youth unemployment remains a significant issue due to the sheer number of young people entering the workforce. He noted that although overall unemployment has decreased, there has been a slight rise in youth unemployment, largely because the youth population is expanding rapidly.

The care economy programme is designed to not only generate employment but also to meet the increasing demand for domestic and care-related services. As part of a comprehensive package of youth-focused interventions, the programme aims to provide sustainable livelihoods and alleviate pressure on the formal job market. Opare-Addo emphasized the government's commitment to launching targeted employment programs to ensure that Ghana's growing youth population becomes an economic asset rather than a source of rising unemployment.