The Member of Parliament for the Efia Constituency, Hon. Lawyer Isaac Yaw Boamah Nyarko, has expressed deep concern over the rising rate of youth unemployment in Ghana, describing the situation as a “pressing national crisis” that demands urgent and collective action. Speaking during the graduation ceremony of the fourth batch of beneficiaries of his forklift training programme, the MP emphasized that the country can no longer treat youth unemployment as a mere economic issue but must recognize it as a potential national security threat.
He cited recent statistics indicating that more than 2.1 million young people remain unemployed nationwide—a figure he described as alarming and unacceptable. According to him, such high levels of joblessness among the youth, who form a significant portion of the nation’s productive workforce, pose long-term risks to social stability and economic progress. “Youth unemployment is not a problem for government alone; it is a national challenge that requires contributions from all sectors,” he stressed.
It is for this reason, he explained, that he has prioritized practical skills training as one of his major development interventions for the constituency. Hon. Lawyer Boamah noted that during the 2024 election campaign, he promised to empower young people by equipping them with employable, hands-on skills. The forklift training initiative, fully funded by his office, represents one of the key steps toward fulfilling that commitment.
The fourth batch of trainees, consisting of over 100 young men and women selected from various communities within the Efia Constituency, completed their practical sessions under the programme. The MP emphasized that the selection process was conducted fairly and transparently, without political bias or favoritism, even though he is a member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP). He noted that the goal was simply to ensure equal opportunity for all youth who show interest and potential.
Addressing the graduates, Lawyer Boamah urged them to take full advantage of the skills they had acquired rather than allowing themselves to fall back into unemployment due to lack of discipline or motivation. He pointed out that many youths receive training in specialized fields but fail to apply themselves afterward, leading to continued joblessness despite opportunities available to them.
The beneficiaries expressed gratitude to the MP for funding the programme at no cost and for ensuring that the selection was fair and inclusive. Many described the training as life-changing, noting that forklift operation is a skill in high demand in Ghana’s growing industrial and logistics sectors.
