Chairperson of the Parliamentary Caucus on Population and Development, Hon. Patricia Appiagyei, has called on government and development partners to prioritize investment in the health, skills and empowerment of young people to enable Ghana to realize its demographic dividend.
Addressing Parliament on the occasion of World Population Day 2026, celebrated globally on July 11, Hon. Appiagyei said the day serves as a reminder that people are the foundation of sustainable development.
The Deputy Minority Leader noted that this year’s global theme, “Realizing the Hopes and Aspirations of Young People: Today and for the Future,”_ and Ghana’s national theme, “Investing in Ghana’s Future through Healthy, Skilled and Empowered Young People,”_ must guide national policy and budget decisions.
The caucus chair said Ghana is at a critical point in its demographic transition.
According to the 2021 Population and Housing Census and current projections, Ghana’s population is estimated at 34.4 million.
She added that nearly 12 million Ghanaians, about one-third of the population, are youth between 15 and 35 years.
“This youthful population presents a historic opportunity to accelerate economic growth, but only through sustained investment in human capital,” she stated.
Hon. Appiagyei, however, highlighted several challenges facing young people, citing 2025 national labor statistics; she said approximately one in every four youth aged 15-35 is Not in Education, Employment or Training, with young women disproportionately affected.
She also referenced the 2022 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey, which indicated that 15.2% of adolescent girls aged 15-19 have ever been pregnant.
Other concerns include youth unemployment, limited access to financing for young entrepreneurs, mental health issues, digital inequalities, and barriers to quality reproductive health services.
She emphasized that these challenges are development issues that directly affect productivity, economic growth, and national competitiveness.
“Evidence consistently shows that countries that invest in education, healthcare, nutrition, technical and vocational skills, digital innovation, entrepreneurship, and decent employment achieve faster economic growth and stronger social cohesion,” she said.
Hon. Appiagyei urged Parliament to support increased investment in key areas including quality and inclusive education, technical, vocational and digital skills development, youth employment and entrepreneurship, adolescent reproductive health programming, primary healthcare, mental health and social protection.
She also called for swift clearance of family planning commodities at the ports, increased domestic health financing amid dwindling donor funds, and stronger population and data systems for evidence-based policymaking.
She further called on the private sector, civil society, and development partners to collaborate to empower youth.
Concluding her statement, the caucus chair said the decisions made today will determine whether Ghana harnesses its demographic dividend or misses a once-in-a-generation opportunity.
“Let us commit to building a Ghana where every young person is healthy, well-educated, skilled, productive, and empowered to contribute meaningfully to national development,” she said. Ghana will officially commemorate World Population Day 2026 on July 28, 2026.
By Prosper Kwaku Selassy Agbitor
About The Author
