A Ghanaian business executive has attributed rising youth unemployment and the rush for government jobs to outdated education systems and a national mindset that undervalues private enterprise.
Speaking on Dreamz FM’s “State of Our Nation” program, Benjamin Anyanah, CEO of BC Bencyn Group, said many young people continue to equate job security with government employment, leaving the private sector struggling to retain talent.
“You employ somebody, train them, and immediately there is recruitment into the security services, they leave,” he said, describing the situation as “turbulent” for business owners.
Mr Anyanah argued that governments should not be expected to employ citizens directly but instead create conditions that allow businesses to grow and absorb labor. He noted that this model is standard globally but poorly understood locally.
He linked the problem to Ghana’s education system, which he described as overly theoretical and misaligned with modern economic demands. According to him, the system still reflects an “industrial-age” structure despite a global shift toward digital innovation, creativity and problem-solving.
“You can do almost everything with your phone today, yet we are still training people for obsolete roles,” he said.
Mr Anyanah also criticized what he called a “poor thinking mentality,” where young people doubt their ability to succeed independently. He cited his own experience of starting a business with no capital as proof that opportunities exist beyond formal employment.
He urged reforms that emphasize entrepreneurship, practical skills and critical thinking, warning that failure to act could deepen unemployment challenges.
