Youth unemployment nation’s biggest economic problem – Prof Aryeetey

By Stephen Freeman

Emeritus Professor Ernest Aryeetey, former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, has identified youth unemployment as the most pressing economic issue facing the country, citing fundamental flaws in the education system as a key contributor.

Speaking in a media interview, Professor Aryeetey stated, “What is the biggest economic problem that we see in Ghana today? For me, it is youth unemployment. That, for me, is the biggest problem that we face.”

He argued that tackling youth unemployment requires a complete overhaul of the current education structure, which he says is not aligned with the needs of the job market.

“How do we tackle youth unemployment when the schools are not properly structured to prepare them for the market? You’ve got to go back to basics and deal with it,” he said.

According to Professor Aryeetey, there is ample research in Ghana, across Africa, and globally showing how early-stage education can be reformed to produce more versatile and productive students.

“There is enough research being done, not only in Ghana but all over Africa and other places, that shows you a type of education that you can bring at the basic, junior high school level, and at the senior high level, that leads to more productive students who are versatile,” he explained.

He criticised the overemphasis on university education, saying it does not serve the broader needs of the economy.

“They don’t need a university degree to be able to do things. But we’ve built a system that takes us all into the university. It is wrong, and it will always be wrong,” he stressed.