By Alex Ababio & Isaac Nsiah Foster
Kumasi, Ghana —
Government Must Tackle Youth Unemployment Strategically
Dr. Samuel Tinagyei, optometrist and mental health therapist, has warned that unless the Government tackles youth unemployment strategically, Ghana risks spiralling rates of sports‐betting addiction, drug abuse, and ultimately suicide among its young population.
Target Investment for Bigger Impact :
Speaking to Ghanaian Watch in Kumasi on the occasion of World Suicide Prevention Day, Dr. Tinagyei said:
“Government must be strategic by identifying a few key priority areas to invest in—initiatives that can create wide-reaching, positive ripple effects across the economy.”
Dr. Tinagyei argued that rather than spreading resources thinly and haphazardly, the Government should limit itself to key projects that will produce visible results in the medium term:
“Government should admit and say that, As government, we recognize that in four years we cannot accomplish everything. However, we are committed to focusing on four key priorities, and we are confident that these initiatives will deliver tangible results.”, he said.
Beyond Politics: A National Blueprint :
On the issue of a national agenda, he suggested that the state should institute a binding national policy to guide all political parties that come to power.
“In Ghana, political power continues to alternate between our two dominant parties, NDC and NPP. While we are not officially a two-party state, we all know that leadership consistently shifts between them. Why can’t these parties agree on ten strategic national priorities that every government, regardless of who wins, must pursue over the next twenty years?
Such priorities could include building 100 well-equipped health centers, establishing five international airports, and constructing two speed rail lines within that period. Once these objectives are set, we can create a legal framework that holds every government accountable. For example, instead of introducing midterm elections like in the United States, we could tie political benefits—such as Article 71/72 entitlements, ex-gratia, and retirement packages—to performance.
He continued: “An independent body could be mandated to assess each government’s progress every two years against the agreed national agenda. If a government scores below the required mark—say, 20% instead of the minimum pass threshold—they would forfeit their article 71/72 entitlements and ex-gratia privileges, keeping only their standard pension (SSNIT). This system would ensure that leaders are motivated to focus on long-term national development rather than short-term political gains.”
The Roadmap to Real Development :
Among his recommendations are improving transportation (notably speed trains between agricultural production zones and urban markets), investing in agro-industry (post-harvest storage, cold storage, warehousing), and expanding technological capacity in education.
“Let us commit to investing in industries that preserve and extend the shelf life of agricultural produce. We must ensure fair access to markets by reducing the influence of middlemen who often exploit farmers. At the same time, we need to strengthen farm financing systems that support people who want to invest in agriculture. Finally, we must develop strong post-harvest interventions—such as warehousing and cold storage facilities—that give farmers the time and flexibility to negotiate for better prices.”
He added: “Instead of taking loans to construct and maintaining these roads which keep on spoiling … why don’t we … connect one of the biggest food basket like Tamale to one of the biggest urban market, for instance Accra, and allow people to be able to commute quickly and safely and more affordable.”
“Imagine my friend in Tamale, who produces smocks, shea butter, and groundnuts, being able to spend just a little money and transport her goods to Accra in only four hours. Think of the opportunities that would create.”, he noted.
Building Ghana’s Future Through Tech
He further stated:“
In education, the world is advancing rapidly, especially in technology, and that is where our focus must be. What is our technological policy? Where do we want to position ourselves within Africa’s ecosystem and on the global stage? What areas of technology do we want to master in order to become global leaders? Recently, discussions have emerged about Ghana becoming a hub for medical personnel in Africa, much like Cuba was years ago, supplying doctors and nurses to other African nations and even the Caribbean.
Government cannot overextend itself by employing everyone, particularly when our revenue is so limited that we must continue borrowing to balance the budget. Instead, we should explore ways to position Ghana as a training hub for highly skilled medical professionals. These professionals could work abroad, with structured agreements ensuring that part of their earnings contributes back to the state to support the training of more personnel. Beyond that, we also know that Ghanaians living abroad consistently send remittances home, which can further strengthen our economy.”
According to Dr. Tinagyei, such initiatives would provide alternatives to desperate measures such as gambling, by giving young people hope, meaningful work, and the dignity of self-reliance.
The Dangerous Grip of Addiction: Betting, Drugs and Mental Health :
Dr. Tinagyei cautioned that taxing betting companies while ignoring the long-term harm to youth is “preparing ourselves for a very bad end.” He said: “One of the biggest public health dangers is betting addiction … because you see people get addicted … they have to find the means to get the money … What will most of them do? They will resort to crime.”
He described how betting has been normalized in media, particularly sports shows which encourage listeners to stake money, often with small amounts, under the promise of large returns. “A lot of people are convinced … that to them they can never get addicted. That is the danger,” he said.
He also detailed the physical and psychological toll of addiction: palpitations, constant worry, a sense of life being no longer worth it after losses, and often, disruptive consequences for education and social relations.
Jobless Youth : The Road to Drugs and Suicide
Recent data underline the urgency of Dr. Tinagyei’s concerns:
Youth unemployment: As of 2023, the rate of unemployment for Ghanaian youth aged 15-35 stood at about 19.7%, with many more underemployed or working in precarious informal jobs.
Drug abuse among youth: Over 35,000 students from junior high, senior high, and tertiary institutions use hard drugs in Ghana. Also, in a recent study in the Northern Region, about 11.4% of university students admitted to misusing tramadol; 24% of those showed signs of dependence. In 2023, there were 5,554 recorded cases of mental disorders due to psychoactive substance use among youth aged 20-34, up from 4,155 in 2019.
Suicide and suicidal behaviour: Ghana recorded 175 suicides in the first half of 2025 — up from 134 in the same period last year. In 2024, 1,174 suicide attempts were recorded, and in the first six months of 2025 there were 475 attempts, of which 18 were successful.
Dr. Tinagyei’s Solution: Invest to Prevent Hopelessness
Dr. Tinagyei holds that unemployment is a central driver of these risks: when young people cannot find meaningful work, they are more vulnerable to substance abuse and gambling, which in turn exacerbate mental health problems.
He urged the Government to view youth well-being as national policy, not simply as a revenue issue: “We should not only be interested in earning profit from taxing betting companies without thinking about the future of the youth or the mental health state of the youth.”
He called for stronger regulation of how betting firms market to young people, more visible public health campaigns, and restoring civic education efforts by NCCE that once helped mobilize the nation.
Conclusion
With youth unemployment nearly one in five among people aged 15-35, and rising numbers of suicide and substance abuse cases, Ghana stands at a critical point. Dr. Samuel Tinagyei’s message is clear: without strategic investment and policies that provide alternatives to gambling and drugs, the country risks losing more lives and undermining its social fabric.
“Ghana is sitting on a ticking time bomb, and unless the government takes bold and deliberate action, the situation will explode with devastating consequences.”, Dr. Tinagyei warned