September 19, 2024, | Accra, Ghana
PEP researchers presented findings from their evaluation of youth employment policies during a national policy conference in Ghana.
The National Policy conference on Youth Employment Policies (YEPs) in Ghana was conducted at the Alisa Hotel in Accra. The event convened policymakers, academics, civil society, private sector representatives, and youth program implementers to discuss the current state and future direction of youth employment initiatives throughout the nation.
The event, which was organized by researchers from the University of Ghana and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) with the support of the Partnership for Economic Policy (PEP), provided a platform for the dissemination of findings from a multi-phase review research project, dubbed “Review of Youth Employment Policies and their Impact in Ghana
Dr. Monica Lambon-Quayefio, the primary researcher, underscored the necessity of redefining youth employment as a broader agenda for sustainable, decent work, rather than merely a job creation issue, in her opening remarks. Dr. Thomas Yeboah of KNUST proceeded to provide a comprehensive overview of the primary findings, which exposed systemic deficiencies in the design, implementation, monitoring, and sustainability of the program.
The workshop emphasized the significant obstacles that current YEPs are encountering, such as:
- Sustainability and Exit Strategies: Programs such as National Builders Corps (NABCO and National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP) frequently lack long-term strategies to provide support to beneficiaries beyond the initial intervention phase.
- Inadequate monitoring mechanisms, limited administrative capacity, and duplication of efforts were identified as significant setbacks.
- Political Influence: Stakeholders expressed apprehension regarding the frequent use of YEPs as political instruments, with designs that are subject to change with each government transition.
Inadequate Private Sector Engagement: Participants emphasized the necessity of forging more robust partnerships with businesses to offer practical skills, mentorship, and funding.
Although no direct policy changes were announced at the event, the involvement of key implementers and government actors, such as representatives from the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Ministry of Labour Department, and the Ghana Enterprises Agency, indicated a significant potential for future influence. It is important to note that a new strategic partnership was formed with the Ghana Federation of Disability Organization, which serves to reinforce the increasing recognition of the necessity of incorporating individuals with disabilities into employment strategies.
One participant observed, "It is long overdue that the needs of Persons living with disabilities are finally being addressed in youth programs."
The workshop was distinguished by the audience's active participation. Stakeholders expressed urgent concerns regarding the relevance of training programs to the current job market, transparency in beneficiary selection, and the inclusivity of outreach strategies.
"What is the precise method by which we are engaging these young people?" Which instruments and channels are we employing to locate them? Asked by Favour Ozi, Operations Manager at iSpace Foundation.
Other participants, including Emmanuel Deteoh of the Ghana Enterprises Agency, emphasized the program's assets, including its support for the entrepreneurial value chain. However, they also acknowledged the constraints imposed by funding.
Frederick Obeng Abekah of the Labour Department questioned the long-term impact of programs such as the National Service Scheme (NSS) and urged for comprehensive impact evaluations.
One of the most significant lessons from the conference was the significance of timing. Organizers noted that the scheduling of dissemination activities in close proximity to significant elections can result in a decrease in attendance from government officials and program directors who may be preoccupied with political obligations.
At the conclusion of the conference, a number of practical suggestions were given, such as:
- Enhancing the frameworks for monitoring and evaluation;
- Retooling YEPs to more closely align with the demands of the labor market;
- Improving the collaboration between academia and policy;
- Expanding public-private partnerships;
- Fostering a change in the mindset of young people to view YEPs as a starting point rather than a definitive destination.
Ghanaian Times, The Communicator, and Daily Graphic were among the prominent national media outlets that reported on the event.
The research team organized the event with financial and advisory support from PEP and the Mastercard Foundation.
