Labour Minister Dr. Rashid Pelpuo has declared Africa’s economic growth insufficient to absorb its rapidly expanding youth population, framing the demographic surge as either a “dynamic resource” or a “dangerous dilemma.”
Speaking to Accra-based JoyNews on July 21, 2025, Pelpuo cited data showing job creation lagging behind labour market entry rates continent-wide.
“Africa now has the largest youth population globally, but development isn’t commensurate with population growth,” Pelpuo stated. He emphasized the mismatch creates excess labour, forcing youth toward migration or informal economies. The minister explicitly linked unemployment to national security risks, noting idle populations fuel unrest, criminal recruitment, and perilous migration.
Pelpuo urged African policymakers to accelerate economic alignment with demographic trends, warning: “We must create opportunities or risk losing youth to dangerous crossings and instability.” His remarks spotlight Ghana’s parallel efforts to address unemployment under President Mahama’s job-creation initiatives amid regional economic pressures.
