SoNA 2018: Unemployment rate staggering – Akufo-Addo

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has expressed worry at the rate of unemployment within the country.

The unemployment rate in Ghana increased to 5.77 percent in 2016 from 5.54 percent in 2015.

“The number of young people who cannot find jobs in Ghana is staggering,” the President noted while delivering his 2nd State of the Nation address in Parliament on Thursday.

But he expressed confidence that the situation will change soon as “every major policy made in the last year has been about the youth”.

The President noted the changing economy requires an educated and skilled workforce to make the Ghanaian economy more globally competitive.

The introduction of the Free Senior High School policy, the President noted, is key to reducing the rate of unemployment in the long-term.

“The reform of the school curricula is underway to address the defects in the educational system,” President Akufo-Addo noted, “science education and technology are going to be prioritized.”

He added: “This reform is going to see a curriculum instilling greater respect for traditional values and patriotism among the youth.”