SONA 2025: Mahama reveals plans to tackle youth unemployment

To address rising unemployment, President John Mahama has unveiled his administration’s strategy to tackle youth joblessness in Ghana, focusing on entrepreneurship, digital innovation, and skills training.

Delivering his foremost State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Thursday, February 27, 2025, he reaffirmed his government’s commitment to job creation, describing it as “one of the main pillars of my government’s promise to the youth of Ghana.”

To drive this vision, Mahama announced the launch of the Adwumawura Programme, which will create, track, and mentor businesses annually, focusing primarily on young entrepreneurs.

“The first phase will support the top 2,000 implementable business proposals with business development training, mentorship, startup capital, and market access,” he stated.

A National Apprenticeship Programme will also equip 10,000 young people in the informal sector with employable skills, covering apprenticeship fees and startup kits.

Additionally, the government plans to professionalise the okada business by training riders in road safety, financial literacy, and digital skills while facilitating the acquisition of motorbikes. Mahama further revealed that electric motorcycles will be introduced on a hire-purchase scheme to eliminate petrol costs and improve profitability for riders.

The Vice-President’s Empowerment for Women and People with Disabilities Programme will also roll out this year, offering financial support and training to vulnerable groups to foster entrepreneurship.

Recognising the importance of technology, Mahama unveiled the One Million Coders Programme, a major initiative under the Ministry of Communications, Digital Technology, and Innovations, announcing that “young people will receive training in coding, web app development, digital marketing, and other digital skills to enhance their employability in the digital ecosystem.”

The president further acknowledged the urgent need for reforms in the education sector to enhance the employability of the youth after school.

“The system we inherited is outdated in many ways and must be realigned to meet the needs of the 21st century and the Fourth Industrial Revolution,” he noted, pledging to prioritise quality education.