President John Dramani Mahama has sounded the alarm over Africa’s rising youth unemployment and fragile health systems, describing the continent’s challenges as a “pandemic of unfulfilled potential” that demands urgent attention from African leaders.
Addressing the Zambian Parliament on Thursday, February 5, President Mahama highlighted the high rate of unemployed youth in Ghana and across the continent, urging governments to create meaningful opportunities that empower young people and stimulate economic growth.
He stressed that unemployment among the youth is not just an economic issue, but a security and social concern, as it leaves millions vulnerable to crime, unrest, and lost potential.
Touching on healthcare, President Mahama termed Africa’s health systems as fragile, warning that the continent remains vulnerable amid global shifts in aid, defence spending, and international priorities.
“We must confront the battle for the economic emancipation of our countries at a time when global geopolitics is undergoing tectonic shifts. Today, global humanitarian assistance is shrinking, official development assistance is declining, defence spending is rising, and traditional multilateral systems are under strain,” he said.
Ghana’s President urged African leaders to respond to these challenges with transparency and pragmatism, emphasising that building strong economies, resilient health systems, and opportunities for youth is essential to overcoming the continent’s unfulfilled potential.
“Africa faces a different pandemic, the pandemic of unfulfilled potential. Millions of young people remain unemployed; health systems are fragile; and economies extract wealth without building capacity. We must confront this reality decisively,” Mahama added.
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