Mr. Ebenezer Amankwah Minkah, Executive Director of the Center for Economic Research and Policy Analysis (CERPA) and entrepreneur, has urged government and policymakers to integrate entrepreneurship and enterprise training into Ghana’s educational curriculum to better prepare the youth for sustainable economic development.
Speaking in an interview with the press during the National Emerging Leaders Economic Forum (NELEF) held at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), under the theme *“Is There Enough Youth Empowerment; The Gateway to Sustainable Economic Development,”* Mr. Minkah stressed that while Ghana’s exam-based academic system has its merits, it does not adequately equip students for self-reliance and innovation.
“It’s not entirely bad, but there is a need for us to incorporate enterprise within our educational curriculum so that when the youth graduate, they come out with some sense of responsibility and the ability to create something for themselves, because governments cannot do it all,” he noted.
According to him, the Ghanaian youth have demonstrated remarkable creativity in technology and agriculture but remain underrepresented and unheard. He emphasized that fostering more creativity among the youth would not only promote self-employment but also open opportunities for others.
While acknowledging government efforts in youth development, Mr. Minkah highlighted the proliferation of agencies addressing only short-term issues, instead of a comprehensive strategy tailored to youth challenges.
“It is not about setting up one agency after the other. The real issues with the youth must be properly decomposed to develop a more strategic, long-term plan. Government must look beyond today and plan for tomorrow,” he argued.
On the uniqueness of NELEF, he praised the diversity of participants from academia, politics, government, and industry, saying this multi-stakeholder engagement made the discussions more impactful.
“Youth empowerment is not a handout or a charity; it is a strategy. This forum stands out because it brought together different perspectives, creating a different vibe from what we’ve always experienced,” Mr. Minkah added, commending Vodec Africa for convening the program.
He concluded by encouraging continuous dialogue on youth empowerment, expressing optimism that such engagements would eventually yield transformative outcomes for Ghana’s economic development.
Story by Eugene Kwasi Nyarko
