Ira Osei Akoto, Technical Advisor at GIZ Ghana, said the upcoming Ghana Career and Migration Fair 2024 will offer a platform that will create abundant opportunities for young individuals in the Ashanti Region and beyond.
With Ghana currently facing a youth unemployment rate of approximately 14.7%, the fair comes at a crucial time to provide support and opportunities for over 1.3 million unemployed young people aged 15 to 35.
Particularly focusing on vulnerable groups such as females, who experience higher unemployment rates, the fair seeks to bridge the gap between job seekers and available opportunities.
During an interview on Pure FM in Kumasi, monitored by Orange News, Mr. Akoto noted that it’s important to create employment prospects for the youth to combat societal challenges such as armed robbery.
He stressed that the availability of jobs would deter individuals from resorting to illegal activities like galamsey, which pose a threat to the nation’s future.
“The reality is that there are not enough jobs in Ghana. If there were sufficient employment opportunities, individuals would not resort to theft or activities like galamsey,” he stated.
Senior Labour Officer at the Labour Department, Frank Agyei Boakye, mentioned that while his organization has been actively working to generate job opportunities for the youth, the Career Fair serves to enhance this initiative.
He noted that the fair will provide various opportunities for individuals, including employment, education, and skills development.
Mr. Boakye also indicated that the fair aims to offer opportunities for individuals with disabilities to access amazing prospects.
Awudu Dramani Musah, GIZ Ghana’s Advisor on TVET, stated that the organization is collaborating with the Ghana TVET Service and the Commission for Technical, Vocational Education and Training on various projects to enhance skills development.
He noted that the Labour Ministry strongly supports the fair to create opportunities for the youth in Ghana and beyond.
The Ghana Career and Migration Fair 2024 will center on digital transformation, entrepreneurship, and skilled migration as key pillars of support for attendees.
Over the past six editions, the fair has attracted 19,000 participants, resulting in 1,277 individuals securing employment, including 521 women.
Employers have also benefited greatly, with 450 exhibitors taking part and 1,855 job vacancies being showcased.
