The Member of Parliament for Nhyiaso, Dr. Stephen Amoah, has called for the integration of entrepreneurship studies into the curricula of both Junior High Schools (JHS) and Senior High Schools (SHS) in Ghana.
He emphasised that early exposure to entrepreneurship will nurture the entrepreneurial mindset among the youth and inspire them to develop and start their own businesses.
Dr. Amoah made the proposal in a statement on the floor of Parliament, urging the Ministry of Education and other relevant stakeholders to expedite action in making entrepreneurship a structured component of Ghana’s pre-tertiary education system.
Citing statistics from the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER), he noted that only about 10percent of Ghanaian graduates secure employment within a year after graduation.
Additionally, a survey by the Ghana Statistical Service suggests that the average job-hunting period for graduates is around five years. With approximately 109,874 university graduates annually, Ghana sees an estimated 100,000 remaining unemployed each year — a situation that underscores the urgent need for systemic solutions.
“Entrepreneurship has become a vital driver of the global economy,” the former Deputy Finance Minister stated. “It is not only a tool for job creation but also a powerful force for economic growth, poverty reduction, and social stability.”
Dr. Amoah argued that Ghana’s growing youth population faces a congested and limited job market, contributing to a range of social issues including robbery, drug abuse, teenage pregnancy, and the spread of sexually transmitted diseases.
“The global trend is clear: entrepreneurship is the way forward. The private sector remains the engine of economic growth. Historically, entrepreneurs have revolutionized our lives — replacing kerosene lamps with gas, then electricity, and later fluorescent lighting. This is the power of innovation,” he said.
He described entrepreneurship as the ability to build and operate one’s own business with the goal of making a profit, rather than depending on pre-existing employment opportunities. According to him, entrepreneurs are behind some of the most transformative technologies in history, including computers, the internet, spreadsheets, and advances in pharmaceuticals.
“Entrepreneurship is key to tackling Ghana’s graduate unemployment challenge. Many of our talented youth, out of frustration, engage in illicit activities or leave the country in search of greener pastures. This has led to a drain on our skilled labour force and undermined national productivity,” he lamented.
Dr. Amoah highlighted that Ghana, as a developing economy rich in raw materials and natural resources, is well-positioned to create jobs through entrepreneurship. However, he acknowledged several challenges stalling progress.
“We currently have a very weak entrepreneurial ecosystem. The interaction among key stakeholders lacks both structural and functional strength. The ecosystem is not robust enough to effectively support job creation,” he noted.
To address this, he proposed several measures: a redefinition of the country’s corporate focus, intentional government policies that prioritize entrepreneurship, strategic realignment and coordination among ecosystem stakeholders.
Dr. Amoah concluded by emphasizing that beyond job creation and economic expansion, a strong entrepreneurial culture can reduce the burden on government and help answer many of Ghana’s pressing economic challenges. He also argued that it could support the nation’s efforts to reduce import dependency and foster self-reliance.
