The Chief of Staff at the Office of the President, Julius Debrah, has called on Ghanaian students to become the next generation of job creators and innovators, not mere job seekers.
He made this passionate appeal while delivering the keynote address as Special Guest of Honour at the official launch of the GNCCI Junior Chamber Initiative, a collaborative project between the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GNCCI) and the University of Ghana.
In a speech filled with purpose and promise, Hon. Debrah said the initiative represents more than just the formation of a student group—it is a strategic national intervention designed to equip students with the skills, networks, and platforms needed to actively contribute to Ghana’s economic transformation.
“When we equip our youth with the right skills, networks, and platforms, they will not only find jobs—they will create them,” he emphasized.
Referencing alarming figures from the 2023 Labour Market Report, he noted that 1.4 million young Ghanaians are unemployed, with 22.3% being tertiary graduates—a sobering statistic he described as both a challenge and a call to action.
“Education alone is not enough. We must bridge the gap between academic knowledge and practical business experience,” Debrah declared. “This is where the GNCCI Junior Chamber becomes a powerful game-changer.”
He praised the University of Ghana and the GNCCI for partnering on such a forward-thinking project, which aligns with broader government initiatives like the Adwumawura Project, the 24-Hour Economy Policy, and other youth-focused interventions aimed at building an inclusive, resilient, and entrepreneurial economy.
On behalf of H.E. John Dramani Mahama and the Presidency, Mr. Debrah conveyed unwavering government support for such initiatives, affirming that government alone cannot solve unemployment—but through strategic collaboration with academia and the private sector, real progress can be achieved.
“We must show our young people what is possible—by opening the doors of enterprise and governance to them,” he noted.
As part of this commitment, Debrah announced that the government will partner with the GNCCI Junior Chamber to facilitate exposure visits for students to successful local entrepreneurs, manufacturing sites, and the Office of the President. These interactions, he said, are designed to inspire students with firsthand experiences of business and leadership in action.
“We want you to see what success looks like. To feel it. To believe it. That is how transformation begins,” he said.
In his concluding message to the students, Hon. Debrah declared:
“The future of Ghana’s economy is not in distant boardrooms of faraway policies. It is right here in your hands.”
He encouraged the youth to dare to dream and act on those dreams, adding that the Junior Chamber platform offers a real chance to connect, grow, and build value from the ground up.
“Let us create a Ghana where no young person is left behind—where entrepreneurship is a national culture, and innovation drives inclusive development.”