President John Dramani Mahama has outlined a bold vision for addressing youth unemployment and revitalising Ghana’s agricultural sector.
Speaking during his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) in his second term on Thursday, February 27, in Parliament, he announced initiatives aimed at creating jobs, enhancing transparency, and fostering economic self-sufficiency.
To tackle youth unemployment, which affects an estimated two million young Ghanaians, President Mahama unveiled the Ministry for Youth Development and Empowerment.
“This ministry will ensure accountability in youth programs and connect young people to opportunities,” he stated. He also introduced the “Adwumawura” Programme to support 2,000 youth-led business proposals annually with training, mentorship, and funding.
On agriculture, the president emphasised modernisation and profitability through the AgriNext program. This initiative will provide land access to young farmers and promote greenhouse farming, benefiting 30,000 individuals. Additionally, he pledged to establish farmer service centres in every district to address challenges such as mechanisation and access to quality seeds. “We aim to make agriculture appealing to our youth and reduce reliance on imports,” he added.
The fisheries sector was also highlighted as a priority area. President Mahama announced intensified measures against illegal fishing and the deployment of modern surveillance technology to protect marine biodiversity. He stressed that these efforts would safeguard livelihoods while ensuring sustainability.
On governance, the president reaffirmed his commitment to transparency by streamlining scholarship awards and publishing beneficiary lists annually. He also vowed to prosecute those involved in the National Service Ghost Names Scandal under the “Operation Recover All Loot” initiative. “Such thefts of public funds must not go unpunished,” he declared.
President Mahama concluded by reiterating his administration’s focus on job creation as a cornerstone of national development. “Our policies will empower the youth and create opportunities for all Ghanaians,” he assured Parliament and citizens alike.
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In a related development, President John Dramani Mahama has announced the launch of the Students for Women and People with Disabilities Program this year, an initiative aimed at empowering women, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and other vulnerable groups.
The program will focus on capacity building and providing access to financial resources to help beneficiaries create their own employment opportunities.
Delivering the State of the Nation Address (SONA), Mahama highlighted the government’s commitment to supporting marginalised groups and ensuring inclusive economic development. He emphasised that access to finance and skills training is crucial in helping individuals achieve self-sufficiency.
In addition to this program, President Mahama underscored the importance of equipping the youth with digital skills. He pointed to the 1 Million Coders Program, which offers training in coding, web and app development, digital marketing, and other IT-related fields.
This initiative, he stated, aims to boost employability and drive innovation in Ghana’s digital economy.
“The Ministry of Communications, Dignity, and Technology and Innovation will play a key role in fostering youth IT skills and creating an enabling environment for technological advancement,” Mahama stated.
Despite various reforms in the education sector, President Mahama acknowledged ongoing challenges, particularly related to low-end incomes among students and young graduates.
He reaffirmed his commitment to prioritising quality education, ensuring that Ghanaian youth receive relevant and practical training for today’s competitive job market.
“As a nation, we must provide meaningful and relevant education to prepare our youth for the demands of a technology-driven world,” he said.
