Goodluck Jonathan Tampuor (RN, Health Policy Advocate)
Today, as we join the global community to commemorate International Youth Day, we are met with a stark paradox. We celebrate the vibrancy, innovation, and energy of our young population—the largest demographic dividend we have ever possessed. Yet, across our nation, this dividend is rapidly turning into a looming disaster. The dreams of our youth are being suffocated by a confluence of crises that threaten not only their individual futures but also the very fabric of our social and economic stability.
We cannot look away. We cannot offer platitudes. The reality on the ground is harsh and demands immediate, concrete action. Our young people are facing a multi-dimensional crisis characterised by:
(1) Skyrocketing Youth Unemployment: A generation is being left behind, with millions of qualified, ambitious young people unable to find work, wasting their potential and draining our economy of productive energy.
(2) A Scarcity of Decent Jobs: Even when employment is found, it is often in the informal sector, characterised by exploitation, low wages, a lack of social protection, and zero job security—a far cry from the “decent work” that allows one to build a future.
(3) Limited Opportunities for Advancement: Access to capital, mentorship, and markets remains an insurmountable barrier for young entrepreneurs, while quality education and skills training often fail to align with the actual needs of the evolving job market.
(4) · The Migration Crisis: Desperate for a better life, too many of our youth are risking their lives on dangerous migration routes, becoming victims of traffickers, or leaving behind a “brain drain” that robs our nation of its brightest minds.
(5)· A Dangerous Rise in Substance Abuse: In the absence of hope and purpose, many vulnerable youths are turning to drugs and alcohol as a coping mechanism, destroying their health, families, and prospects.
(6) Breakdown of Discipline in Pre-Tertiary Institutions: We are witnessing a worrying decline in order and respect within our basic schools. Indiscipline, violence, and a lack of moral grounding among our students are early warning signs of a generation that is becoming disconnected from the values that hold society together.
A CALL TO ACTION: THE URGENT APPEAL TO CENTRAL GOVERNMENT AND POLICYMAKERS.
This International Youth Day is not a time for celebration; it is a time for sober reflection and decisive action. The challenges before us are systemic, and they require a systemic response. We issue a clarion call to the central government, the executive, and all policymakers:
(1). Declare a “State of Emergency” on Youth Unemployment:
We call for the immediate establishment of a National Youth Employment Task Force, reporting directly to the presidency. This is not a bureaucratic committee; it is a war room designed to break down silos between ministries and deliver tangible results within a specific timeframe. We must move beyond rhetoric and implement aggressive, time-bound programmes to create jobs.
(2). Launch a “Decent Jobs” Agenda:
We demand fiscal policies that incentivise businesses to hire young people formally and provide them with benefits, training, and a living wage. Tax breaks for companies that create permanent, quality jobs for youth should be prioritised over those that simply maximise profit through casualisation.
(3). Invest in the Future Economy, Not the Past:
Government must urgently redirect funding from traditional, low-productivity sectors into high-growth industries such as technology, renewable energy, agribusiness, and the creative economy. We need a modern skills revolution, with a curriculum overhaul that prioritises digital literacy, critical thinking, and vocational training starting from the pre-tertiary level.
(4). Create a “Youth Opportunity Fund” to Curb Migration:
Instead of spending millions on border control after the fact, we call for the investment of that capital into a “Stay and Thrive” fund. This will provide seed capital, low-interest loans, and business incubation services to young entrepreneurs, making the dream of a prosperous life at home a reality.
(5). Integrate Mental Health and Substance Abuse Counselling into All Schools:
The fight against substance abuse must begin early. We call on the Ministry of Education and Health to collaborate on a comprehensive, nationwide programme that provides mental health support, life skills training, and counselling services in every pre-tertiary and tertiary institution. This is not a “soft” issue; it is a national security issue.
(6). Reclaim the School System:
We call for a renewed emphasis on civic education, mentorship, and restorative justice within our schools. I am asking for guidance and counselling programmes to empower teachers as moral guides and to create safe, disciplined environments where students can focus on learning and character development. We must address indiscipline with a firm but compassionate approach that identifies root causes like trauma and poverty.
(7). Establish a Youth Advisory Council:
We demand that policymaking include youth voices at the table. We call on the government to institutionalise a Youth Advisory Council with real decision-making power, ensuring that all policies—from economic to educational—are vetted through the lens of how they will impact the generation that will inherit this nation.
CONCLUSION
The challenges facing our youth are immense, but they are not insurmountable. The future is not written; it is being built right now. However, we cannot build it with one hand tied behind our backs. We need the full support, the full commitment, and the full mobilisation of the state.
To the young people of this nation: your voice matters. Your struggle is seen. Do not lose hope. Demand accountability from your leaders. Organise, advocate, and let your collective voice be heard.
To our leaders and policymakers: We remind you that the stability, peace, and prosperity of our nation rest on the shoulders of the youth. If we fail them, we fail ourselves. Invest in them, trust them, and allow them to rise. The time for talk is over. The time for decisive, urgent, and transformative action is now.
Happy International Youth Day. Let us build a future worthy of our young people.
Good editorial work from the publishers