The University for Development Studies (UDS) hosted its 18th Inaugural Lecture on Friday, February 21, 2025, with Professor Paul Kwame Nkegbe delivering a thought-provoking address on the theme: Youth Bulge and Unemployment: Evidence to Action.

In his lecture, Prof. Nkegbe underscored the critical role of well-structured government employment initiatives in addressing youth unemployment. 

He emphasized the need for clear exit strategies within these programs to facilitate beneficiaries' seamless transition into the mainstream job market.

“Adequate infrastructure and strategic planning can serve as signaling mechanisms to bridge the information gap between job seekers and potential employers,” Prof. Nkegbe noted. “This will ensure the long-term sustainability of employment programs.”

The distinguished economist also called for the institutionalization of robust data collection and management systems to effectively track employment trends and evaluate policy impact. “Employment-related institutions should build data management systems that are both frequent and detailed to capture information across various sectors of the economy,” he stressed.

Acknowledging Ghana’s fiscal constraints and the rising debt levels in Sub-Saharan Africa, Prof. Nkegbe urged policymakers to carve out dedicated space for long-term, high-impact investments in employment creation policies. “In a tight fiscal environment, it is essential to prioritize policies that will drive sustainable job creation and contribute meaningfully to economic development,” he emphasized.

The lecture which was chaired bynthe Vice-Chancellor,  Professor Seidu Al-hassan, attracted academics, policymakers, students, and industry professionals, all of whom engaged in a lively discussion on the way forward for Ghana’s youth employment landscape. 

UDS remains committed to fostering intellectual discourse that informs policy and development at both national and international levels.