Embrace AI and Entrepreneurship for Future Jobs, Ghanaian Youth Urged

Constance Swaniker, Founder and President of the Design and Technology Institute (DTI), has called on Ghanaian youth to actively embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI) and cultivate an entrepreneurial spirit to remain competitive in the global workforce. Swaniker cautioned that Africa's primary risk in the face of AI and automation is not job displacement by machines, but rather the failure to equip its young population with the necessary skills to capitalize on emerging opportunities. She referenced World Economic Forum projections indicating that while AI and automation might eliminate approximately 85 million jobs globally by 2030, they are simultaneously expected to generate around 97 million new roles. This underscores the critical need for ongoing education, upskilling, and reskilling. Swaniker expressed deep concern over persistent youth unemployment in Ghana, citing figures from the Ghana Statistical Service that place unemployment among 15-to-24-year-olds at 32.5 percent. Over 1.3 million young Ghanaians are currently not engaged in employment, education, or training. Across the African continent, an estimated 10 to 12 million young people enter the labor market annually, competing for roughly three million formal job openings. DTI was established to address this significant gap, focusing on training individuals for the existing and emerging economies rather than an idealized one. The DTI Jobs and Opportunities Fair, themed 'Navigating Skills, Careers and the Future of Work: Preparing Young People to Thrive in an AI-Enabled World,' convened various stakeholders, including academics, industry leaders, employers, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and students. The event explored how AI and new technologies are reshaping careers and creating new avenues for employment. A key feature was the Accra Floods Hackathon, which challenged participants to develop AI-driven solutions for flood preparedness, disaster response, and urban resilience. Five finalists received US$600 in seed funding to advance their innovations, focusing on areas like risk mapping, smart drainage, and emergency response systems. The fair, building on previous success, attracted over 50 companies and facilitated employment, mentorship, and entrepreneurship opportunities.

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Africa’s greatest risk was not losing jobs to machines but failing to equip its young people with the skills required to seize emerging opportunities.