The Assembly Member for the Soe-Yipaala Electoral Area in the Upper East Region, Dr. Justice Aduko, has raised concern over the rising rate of youth unemployment in his community, describing it as a major issue that requires urgent and coordinated action.
In an interview on A1 Radio, Dr. Aduko highlighted the growing number of young people in the area who are without jobs or meaningful engagement. While acknowledging the government’s introduction of several youth-focused initiatives, he expressed a desire to tap into these national programs to create employment opportunities for the area’s youth. However, he noted that the implementation of these initiatives has been slow, with minimal impact on the ground so far.
“We are looking forward to tapping into the President’s initiatives. I think they have introduced a lot of youth models, and we are hoping to benefit from them,” he said.
Dr. Aduko also acknowledged the complexity of the unemployment issue, noting that multiple factors contribute to the problem. These include limited job opportunities, skills mismatches, and in some cases, a lack of interest or readiness among the youth to pursue available jobs. This complexity, he explained, makes it difficult to determine the most effective approach to resolving the situation.
“In fact, sometimes I feel a bit saddened because it’s hard to tell whether the real issue is the lack of jobs, or whether the young people are simply selective about what they want to do—or maybe they lack the necessary skills for the jobs that are available. It’s a bit confusing at times,” he stated.
Despite the challenges, the Assembly Member remains optimistic. He believes that with time, improved planning, and a smoother rollout of ongoing programs, the community will begin to see meaningful progress in tackling youth unemployment.
“I think things haven’t quite taken off yet. The process has been slow, but I strongly believe that once it gains momentum, we’ll be able to achieve much more in that area,” he added.
In the meantime, Dr. Aduko emphasized the need for sustained effort, strategic interventions, and continuous support to ensure that young people in Soe and Yipaala are empowered with the tools and opportunities needed to contribute meaningfully to the local economy.
Source: A1Radioonline.com | 101.1MHz | Gifty Eyram Kudiabor | Bolgatanga
