The Lost Potential: A Youth’s Journey Through Unemployment

Meet Kojo, a 25 year old university graduate from Kumasi, Ghana. He represents the hopes and dreams of many young people in his community: those who believed that education was the key to unlocking a future full of promise. Kojo is bright, ambitious, and full of energy. With a degree in business administration, he was optimistic about his chances of securing a job after school. But after three years of endless job applications, interviews, and rejection letters, Kojo’s optimism has faded.

Kojo lives with his parents and younger siblings in a modest home on the outskirts of Kumasi. Every day, he wakes up early and begins his routine, checking job boards, sending resumes, and attending the occasional interview. Yet, each day ends the same way: no job, no income, and no sense of direction.

Every morning, Kojo puts on the same worn-out suit, browses the internet, and scrolls through endless job postings. He applies for anything and everything: entry-level positions in banks, administrative roles, even internships. His day is filled with waiting: waiting for emails, waiting for calls that never come. He’s tried everything, upskilling through online courses, volunteering for local NGOs, even offering unpaid work, yet the doors remain closed.

The weight of rejection grows heavier every day. His parents, once proud and supportive, now whisper their worries behind closed doors. His friends, once filled with dreams like him, have either left for greener pastures abroad or settled for menial jobs. Kojo begins to doubt his own abilities. The problem isn’t just the lack of job opportunities; it’s the inefficiency of governance and poor implementation of policies that fail to cater for the youth.

This lack of meaningful employment creates a ripple effect: without a job, Kojo cannot afford to contribute to his family’s finances, he cannot save for the future, and he cannot start the business he’s always dreamed of. His mental health suffers as anxiety and frustration cloud his once bright outlook on life.

Imagine a different future for Kojo. Imagine a government that listens to the needs of its youth and responds with effective policy interventions. What if job creation programs were implemented, not just as political promises but as actual initiatives that aligned with the skills of graduates like Kojo? Imagine if corporations partnered with educational institutions to bridge the gap between academic training and real-world job demands.

If Kojo could secure meaningful employment, his life would change drastically. His self-esteem would return, his family would be relieved of financial burden, and he could start saving to build a future. His contribution to the economy would multiply, boosting both his personal growth and the nation’s development.

This is the dream we must work towards: a future where the youth of Ghana and Africa are no longer left behind but empowered to lead the nation and the African continent into prosperity respectively.

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ALX GHANA

The Story Behind My GCGO: Governance. 
ALX Professional Foundations C6 (PF Ghana Squad 4)