By Deborah Pofara Luu
President John Dramani Mahama has outlined a bold vision for addressing youth unemployment and revitalising Ghana’s agricultural sector.
Speaking during his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) in his second term on Thursday, February 27, in Parliament, he announced initiatives aimed at creating jobs, enhancing transparency, and fostering economic self-sufficiency.
To tackle youth unemployment, which affects an estimated two million young Ghanaians, President Mahama unveiled the Ministry for Youth Development and Empowerment.
“This ministry will ensure accountability in youth programs and connect young people to opportunities,” he stated. He also introduced the “Adwumawura” Programme to support 2,000 youth-led business proposals annually with training, mentorship, and funding.
On agriculture, the president emphasised modernisation and profitability through the AgriNext program. This initiative will provide land access to young farmers and promote greenhouse farming, benefiting 30,000 individuals. Additionally, he pledged to establish farmer service centres in every district to address challenges such as mechanisation and access to quality seeds. “We aim to make agriculture appealing to our youth and reduce reliance on imports,” he added.
The fisheries sector was also highlighted as a priority area. President Mahama announced intensified measures against illegal fishing and the deployment of modern surveillance technology to protect marine biodiversity. He stressed that these efforts would safeguard livelihoods while ensuring sustainability.
On governance, the president reaffirmed his commitment to transparency by streamlining scholarship awards and publishing beneficiary lists annually. He also vowed to prosecute those involved in the National Service Ghost Names Scandal under the “Operation Recover All Loot” initiative. “Such thefts of public funds must not go unpunished,” he declared.
President Mahama concluded by reiterating his administration’s focus on job creation as a cornerstone of national development. “Our policies will empower the youth and create opportunities for all Ghanaians,” he assured Parliament and citizens alike.
