By Michael Pepsin Avorgah, GNA
Aflao (V/R), July 15, GNA — Mr Francis K. Susuawu, a retired Keta/Anloga Municipal Director of the National Youth Authority (NYA), has identified Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as a critical pathway to addressing persistent youth unemployment in coastal communities.
Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview to mark World Youth Skills Day, observed annually on July 15, Mr Susuawu said unemployment and underemployment among young people in areas such as Keta, Anloga, Denu and Aflao remained a major concern despite various government interventions.
He noted that over the past few months, the employment situation had not shown significant improvement, particularly in coastal communities where livelihoods were largely dependent on fishing, petty trading, and small-scale farming.
“In these areas, income sources are often unstable due to environmental factors and market fluctuations, leaving many young people idle, underpaid or engaged in irregular work,” he said.
Mr Susuawu attributed the situation to a mismatch between formal education and the practical skills required in the job market, limited job creation opportunities, and the dominance of the informal sector where employment often depended on experience rather than academic qualifications.
He added that inadequate access to apprenticeship opportunities, limited start-up capital and weak linkages to job information further compounded the problem.
Touching on the implications, he said youth unemployment had both social and economic consequences, including increased frustration, stress and pressure on families, as well as reduced household income and low demand for goods and services within local economies.
Mr Susuawu stressed that TVET remained a viable solution to bridging the skills gap and equipping young people with employable and entrepreneurial skills.
He explained that TVET could open opportunities in diverse areas such as solar installation, electrical and electronic repairs, masonry, carpentry, building maintenance, tailoring, refrigeration and cold-chain services, fish processing and packaging, hospitality, and basic information and communication technology (ICT) services.
Despite its potential, he observed that many young people were reluctant to pursue TVET due to negative perceptions that it was meant for academically weak students and concerns about limited financial returns.
He also pointed to the lack of structured internship and practical placement opportunities as a factor in discouraging youth participation.
To address these challenges, Mr Susuawu called for deliberate efforts to reposition TVET by showcasing successful graduates, strengthening partnerships between training institutions and industry, upgrading training facilities and integrating mandatory apprenticeship placements into training programmes.
He urged political, traditional, and religious leaders to help reduce the stigma associated with TVET, mobilise community support, and facilitate opportunities that linked young people to practical training and employment.
“Encouragement alone is not enough; young people need clear pathways to jobs and sustainable livelihoods,” he said.
Mr Susuawu advised the youth to pursue skills aligned with market demand, actively seek hands-on training and apprenticeship opportunities, and build practical experience.
He encouraged them to start small where capital was limited, continuously upgrade their skills and leverage networking opportunities to enhance their chances of success.
World Youth Skills Day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2014 to highlight the importance of equipping young people with skills for employment, decent work, and entrepreneurship.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/Kenneth Odeng Adade