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Hon. Abraham Armah, popularly known as Father Ab-Hon and hopeful Incoming NPP Constituency Communications Officer for Ekumfi, has called on government, traditional leaders, educational authorities, and development partners to prioritize skills training as a solution to Ghana’s growing youth unemployment challenge.
According to Hon. Abraham Armah, who is the president and founder of Ekumfi Creative Arts confederation, thousands of young people complete basic and secondary education every year with hopes of securing a better future, yet many are left without jobs, practical skills, or opportunities to become self-reliant.
Speaking on the growing unemployment situation in Ghana, he noted that over 509,000 students are expected to sit for the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), a figure he says highlights the urgent need for a stronger national focus on technical and vocational education.
“Not every student will proceed to tertiary education, and even many graduates from universities and colleges are struggling to find employment. We must begin to rethink our approach to education and prioritize practical skills development,” Hon. Abraham Armah stated.
He explained that many young people who end their education at the secondary level often lack employable skills and startup opportunities, a situation that contributes to rising social problems including substance abuse, crime, and other harmful activities among the youth.
Hon. Abraham Armah, who doubles as a professional teacher and Coordinator of Education Africa Institute (EAI), emphasized that vocational and technical training should no longer be viewed as a second option but rather as a strategic tool for economic transformation and national development. He called for massive investment in skills-training programs in areas such as carpentry, welding, tailoring, plumbing, electrical installation, ICT, agribusiness, entrepreneurship, and auto mechanics.
According to Hon. Abraham Armah, practical skills can empower young people to become financially independent while also creating employment opportunities for others within their communities. He urged the Government of Ghana to establish and adequately fund skills-training centers across all districts in the country. He also appealed to the Ministry of Education to strengthen career guidance and encourage more students to pursue technical and vocational pathways.
He additionally called on traditional authorities, NGOs, development institutions, and private companies to support youth empowerment initiatives through scholarships, mentorship programs, apprenticeship opportunities, and community-based training centers.
“This is not only an education issue; it is a social and economic necessity. Ghana’s future depends not only on certificates but also on the creativity, innovation, and practical abilities of our young people,” he stressed.
Hon. Abraham Armah concluded by saying that investing in practical skills training today will help transform Ghana’s youth into productive citizens and drivers of national development.
“The time to act is now. Skills training is not an option — it is a national priority,” he concluded.
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