Youth must build resilience, skills to drive Ghana’s economic growth – GEA CEO
By Praisebell Rosemond Larbi
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA), Margaret Ansei, has urged Ghanaian youth to take deliberate steps to build resilience, acquire relevant skills, and position themselves as active contributors to the country’s economic transformation.
Speaking on Tuesday, 12 August 2025, to commemorate International Youth Day, which is being marked under the theme “Voice to Impact: Youth Building Sustainable and Inclusive Futures”, Ms Ansei underscored the pivotal role of young people in shaping Ghana’s future.
She described the youth as “a vital driving force” in national development, whose innovation, energy, and creativity could accelerate the country’s socio-economic progress if properly harnessed.
However, Ms Ansei expressed concern over the growing threat of drug abuse among the youth, cautioning that substance misuse undermines their potential and poses a serious danger to both personal and national advancement.
“Safeguarding your future requires making the right choices today. That means developing competencies that allow you to meaningfully participate in the economy, especially in the advancement of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), which remain critical pillars of Ghana’s growth,” she stated.
Ms Ansei emphasised that MSMEs account for the majority of businesses in Ghana and provide substantial employment opportunities, particularly for young people.
She urged the youth to leverage skills training, innovation, and entrepreneurship to create sustainable livelihoods for themselves and others, adding that their participation in MSMEs was “irreplaceable” for national development.
Ms Ansei also called on stakeholders, including policymakers, private sector actors, and development partners, to expand support systems that empower young people with access to finance, mentorship, and market opportunities.
International Youth Day, celebrated annually on 12 August, serves as a global platform to spotlight the contributions of young people to sustainable development while addressing the challenges they face.
