The nation’s largest Jobs & Entrepreneurship Fair 2024, an initiative to address Ghana’s unemployment challenges by connecting over 2,000 job seekers with employers and fostering entrepreneurship, is scheduled to take place from September 19 to October 5, 2024.
The innovative initiative, organised by ‘The Ghana Report’ in partnership with the Youth Employment Agency (YEA), will take place concurrently at Independence Square and the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC) throughout the period.
This all-important initiative, dubbed “The Ghana Report Jobs & Entrepreneurship Fair” offers job seekers, entrepreneurs, and employers a unique opportunity to connect, share ideas, and explore opportunities.
The fair will bring together key stakeholders from various sectors of the economy, especially agribusiness, education and health, entrepreneurship, technology, and Information Communication Technology (ICT) to create pathways for employment and innovation.
Chief Executive, The Ghana Report, Rashida Saani, speaking at the media launch stated that the Jobs & Entrepreneurship Fair is a crucial step towards addressing Ghana’s unemployment challenges. Adding that it is a unique platform for business growth, innovation, and economic development.
“This initiative, I believe, will make a significant impact on our nation’s employment landscape. It is a comprehensive platform designed to connect job seekers with employers and empower aspiring entrepreneurs with the tools, knowledge, and networks needed to succeed,” she said.
She stated further that this platform will not only connect graduates but also a diverse pool of talent, ranging from recent artisans, vocational trainees, graduates, and experienced professionals among others.
Public Relations Officer of the YEA, Kwasi Afriyie, on his part, emphasised that the YEA classifies unemployment as a threat to national security. Therefore, it is committed to providing opportunities and creating jobs, as well as addressing the skills gaps among the youthful population to enhance their employability, hence the excitement to partner with such a private sector-led initiative to make an impact.
“We want to change the narrative that artisans from Togo and other neighbouring countries are better when it comes to finishing, so, we are providing precision quality skills to our trainees and this fair will be an opportunity to further deepen our skills training,” he said.
Key Highlights and Benefits
Touching on key highlights of the fair, Madam Saani, who also doubles as the Group Chief Executive of i-ZAR Group of Companies, mentioned five key thematic activities outlined to ensure optimal outcomes of the fair including Entrepreneurship support, Rapid skills acquisition training, Talks and seminars sessions, Entertainment concert, and Job opportunities.
Subsequently, participants stand to benefit from access to a wide range of qualified talents, enhancement of brand image, contribution to Ghana’s economic growth and the reduction of unemployment, and network with other businesses.
The State of Employment in The Country
In recent times, unemployment has remained a pressing issue in Ghana, particularly among the youth. Data from the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS), Annual Household Income and Expenditure Survey, quarter three labour bulletin, indicated that the unemployment rate is approximately 14.7 percent.
Out of this, the number of unemployed youths aged between 15 and 35 rose from about 1.2 million to over 1.3 million during the same period last year, with the rate among females consistently higher than males.
with this backdrop, the organisers of ‘The Ghana Report Jobs and Entrepreneurship Fair,’ consider the initiative as a vital catalyst for change. Special consideration would be given to females to close the gender disparity.
No Connections, No Protocol Jobs
Madam Saani narrated that also in attendance will be representatives from the various state security services such as the Ghana Police Service (GPS), The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS), and the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), to screen interested applicants and offer merit-based real-time jobs.
“This fair will provide job seekers a unique opportunity to engage directly with potential employers, showcase their talents, and secure merit-based employment, not connections. We are committed to ensuring that all recruitment at the fair is free from ‘protocol recruitment’ practices,” she emphasised.
