By Vivian Amoah
Experts have raised concerns over the rising threat of insecurity and social unrest in Ghana due to youth unemployment, urging urgent multi-stakeholder interventions to address the crisis.
Speaking at the Sahel Peace Initiative (SPI) National Forum in Accra, stakeholders examined the Political Economy of Conflict in Ghana, linking the high rate of youth unemployment to growing insecurity and tensions across communities.
“Unemployment and underemployment have left many young people frustrated, making them susceptible to exploitation by violent extremist groups and organised criminal networks,” said Dr. Habiba Osman, a conflict and security analyst at the forum.
Ghana, often hailed as a beacon of stability in West Africa, faces increasing security pressures from the Sahel crisis, with porous borders and community grievances creating vulnerabilities that extremist groups can exploit.
Panel discussions highlighted how economic hardships are driving young people to engage in illegal mining, drug trafficking, and other high-risk activities that threaten national security. Speakers noted that addressing the crisis requires a holistic approach that goes beyond job creation to include inclusive governance and youth participation in decision-making.
“Peace is not sustainable if young people are excluded from economic opportunities,” said Kwame Owusu, a youth advocate. “We need skills training, access to capital, and platforms where our voices can influence policies that affect our lives.”
The forum also stressed the need for government and civil society collaboration to strengthen local governance, invest in rural economies, and design targeted programmes that can equip young people with skills relevant to the current job market.
SPI organisers underscored that peacebuilding efforts in Ghana must prioritise economic resilience and youth empowerment as central pillars in preventing violent extremism and community conflicts.
The forum concluded with a call for collective action to safeguard Ghana’s stability by creating an enabling environment for youth to thrive, emphasising that tackling unemployment is key to preventing insecurity and sustaining peace in Ghana.
