Youth unemployment, and the church in Ghana. A case study for Wassa Akropong Circuit

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

Youth unemployment has emerged as one of the most pressing socio-economic challenges facing many developing countries, including Ghana. The Ghana Statistical Service (2021) reports that nearly one in four young people is unemployed, a figure that highlights the severity of the problem. The situation is particularly concerning because the youth form the backbone of Ghana’s labor force and are expected to contribute significantly to national development. Yet, unemployment continues to hinder their potential, leaving many young people idle and vulnerable to frustration.

Unemployment among the youth has wide-ranging implications for both individuals and society. At the individual level, it breeds poverty, loss of self-esteem, and a sense of hopelessness. At the societal level, it contributes to social exclusion, increased crime rates, and rural-urban migration as young people leave their hometowns in search of greener pastures. The migration of youth to urban centers not only puts pressure on city infrastructure but also drains rural communities of human capital needed for their development. Thus, youth unemployment is not merely an economic issue but also a social and developmental challenge.

In Wassa Akropong, a prominent town in Ghana’s Western Region, the problem of youth unemployment is particularly severe. The area is dominated by artisanal and small-scale mining, which, though providing temporary employment, is unsustainable and environmentally damaging. Many young people depend on this form of livelihood due to limited industrial development and the absence of diverse economic opportunities. This over-reliance on mining restricts the community’s growth and exposes the youth to dangerous working conditions.

Another critical factor contributing to unemployment in Wassa Akropong is the lack of adequate skills training facilities. Although many young people complete basic or secondary education, they are often not equipped with employable skills that meet the demands of the labor market. Without technical or vocational training, graduates remain idle, underemployed, or compelled to migrate. This situation undermines social stability, as unemployed youth may resort to illegal mining (galamsey), migration to cities, or engagement in deviant behaviors that disrupt community peace.

The church, as a vital social institution, has historically played a central role in addressing community challenges. Beyond its core spiritual mission, the church has contributed to education, health, and social welfare in Ghana (Asamoah-Gyadu, 2015). In many parts of the country, churches have established schools, hospitals, and charitable programs that address pressing social needs. This track record positions the church as a credible partner in tackling youth unemployment, particularly in communities where state interventions have been limited or insufficient.

Churches have the capacity to empower young people through initiatives such as vocational training, entrepreneurship support, mentorship, and values-based orientation. By integrating spiritual guidance with practical economic empowerment, the church can equip the youth with both the moral foundation and practical tools needed for sustainable livelihoods. Such interventions not only reduce unemployment but also instill discipline, hard work, and responsibility among young people, which are essential for long-term success.

The Wassa Akropong Circuit, like many other church communities in Ghana, has the potential to be a transformative agent in addressing youth unemployment. With its influence, resources, and grassroots presence, the church can mobilize its members and the wider community to create employment opportunities, establish cooperative societies, and encourage entrepreneurship. Moreover, faith-based social action provides a sense of community and moral direction that secular interventions sometimes lack, making church-led programs uniquely effective in shaping the character and aspirations of young people.

Therefore, examining the relationship between youth unemployment and the church’s role in Ghana, with a specific focus on the Wassa Akropong Circuit, is both timely and relevant. Understanding how the church responds to this challenge can provide insights into the broader role of faith-based organizations in socio-economic development. It also sheds light on the opportunities and challenges churches face in extending their mission beyond the pulpit to address the urgent needs of society. This study seeks to explore these dynamics, with the ultimate goal of identifying strategies through which the church can contribute meaningfully to reducing youth unemployment in Wassa Akropong.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Despite several government interventions aimed at curbing unemployment, the problem of youth joblessness continues to persist in Ghana. Initiatives such as the National Youth Employment Agency (YEA), the Nation Builders Corps (NABCO), and the One District One Factory (1D1F) program were designed to create employment opportunities and reduce poverty among the youth. However, in rural communities like Wassa Akropong, the impact of these policies has been minimal. Many young people remain unemployed or underemployed, suggesting that government efforts alone are insufficient to solve the problem.

The persistence of youth unemployment in Wassa Akropong is partly linked to structural and contextual challenges. The local economy is heavily dependent on artisanal and small-scale mining, which offers only short-term and precarious jobs. With limited industrialization and inadequate infrastructure, alternative sources of employment are scarce. As a result, many young people, even after completing secondary education, are unable to find sustainable work that guarantees income security and long-term growth.

This lack of sustainable opportunities has pushed the youth into risky ventures and coping mechanisms. Some migrate to urban centers in search of greener pastures, often facing difficulties in securing decent jobs due to lack of skills or experience. Others turn to small-scale mining (galamsey), which, despite providing income, exposes them to health hazards, environmental degradation, and legal risks. Additionally, the frustration associated with prolonged unemployment has contributed to increased involvement in social vices such as drug abuse, gambling, and petty crimes, which destabilize both families and the wider community.

While the government struggles with structural economic reforms, the church, as a grassroots institution with moral and social influence, has often focused predominantly on spiritual matters. Churches provide valuable services in preaching, teaching, and spiritual formation, yet their role in economic empowerment remains less visible or poorly structured. In communities like Wassa Akropong, where the church commands significant followership, neglecting youth empowerment means missing a vital opportunity to harness local resources and networks to address unemployment.

The extent to which the church in Wassa Akropong has responded to youth unemployment remains unclear. While some churches in Ghana have initiated vocational training, microfinance support, and entrepreneurship programs, there is limited evidence of systematic or sustained interventions in the study area. This raises important questions about the church’s capacity, willingness, and strategies in confronting the realities of youth unemployment in its community. Without such interventions, the church risks being perceived as detached from the social and economic struggles of its members.

Therefore, this study seeks to critically investigate the role of the church in addressing youth unemployment in the Wassa Akropong Circuit. It aims to assess the initiatives that have been introduced, the challenges faced in their implementation, and the opportunities available for strengthening church-led interventions. By focusing on the intersection between faith and socio-economic development, the study will provide insights into how the church can complement government efforts and contribute meaningfully to reducing youth unemployment in Ghana.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The study aims to explore the relationship between youth unemployment and the church in Wassa Akropong Circuit. The specific objectives are to:

1. Examine the causes and effects of youth unemployment in Wassa Akropong.
2. Assess the role of the church in addressing youth unemployment in the study area.
3. Identify the challenges faced by the church in implementing youth empowerment initiatives.
4. Suggest strategies the church can adopt to reduce youth unemployment in Wassa Akropong.

1.4 Research Questions

The study is guided by the following research questions:

1. What are the major causes and effects of youth unemployment in Wassa Akropong?
2. How has the church responded to the issue of youth unemployment in the study area?
3. What challenges does the church face in addressing youth unemployment?
4. What strategies can enhance the church’s role in reducing youth unemployment in Wassa Akropong?

1.5 Research Hypotheses

To guide the study, the following hypotheses are formulated:

Hypothesis One

• H₀: The church has no significant impact on youth empowerment in Wassa Akropong.
• H₁: The church has a significant impact on youth empowerment in Wassa Akropong.

Hypothesis Two

• H₀: Lack of church-led vocational and entrepreneurial programs does not contribute to youth unemployment.
• H₁: Lack of church-led vocational and entrepreneurial programs contributes to youth unemployment.

1.6 Significance of the Study

The findings of this study will be particularly useful to the church as an institution. While the church is traditionally known for its spiritual mandate of preaching the gospel and nurturing the faith of its members, the study will provide insights into how it can extend this mission to address socio-economic challenges. By highlighting the ways in which churches can actively engage in youth empowerment, the study will help local congregations, including the Wassa Akropong Circuit, recognize their potential role in shaping both the spiritual and material well-being of their communities. This may inspire churches to integrate economic empowerment programs into their pastoral agenda.

For the youth, who are the direct focus of the study, the research will shed light on opportunities that the church can create for empowerment and engagement. By examining church-based initiatives such as vocational training, entrepreneurship support, and mentorship programs, the study will show young people practical pathways to becoming self-reliant and productive members of society. Empowered youth are less likely to resort to risky migration or destructive behaviors, and this will not only benefit individuals but also strengthen families and communities in Wassa Akropong.

Policy makers and development practitioners will also benefit from the outcomes of this study. Governments at both local and national levels, as well as non-governmental organizations, often seek effective strategies to reduce unemployment. By revealing the untapped potential of the church in this regard, the study will encourage stronger collaboration between the state and faith-based organizations. Such partnerships could complement government initiatives like the Youth Employment Agency (YEA) and the One District One Factory (1D1F), ensuring that youth empowerment efforts are holistic, sustainable, and community-driven.

The study will also enrich academia by contributing to the growing body of literature on the intersection of religion, socio-economic development, and youth empowerment in Ghana. While much research has been done on government and private sector roles in addressing unemployment, relatively fewer studies have focused on the role of faith-based organizations. By filling this gap, the research will provide scholars, students, and researchers with a deeper understanding of how religious institutions can act as agents of social and economic transformation.

In addition, the study has implications for community development at large. Churches are deeply rooted in local communities and often command trust and loyalty from their members. By showing how churches can leverage this influence to reduce unemployment, the findings will encourage community leaders and stakeholders to see the church as a partner in development rather than solely a spiritual authority. This reorientation can foster collective action, build social cohesion, and promote inclusive growth in Wassa Akropong.

Finally, the study will be significant in fostering long-term sustainability in development practices. Faith-based interventions are often guided by values such as accountability, service, and stewardship, which can complement and enhance secular development strategies. By documenting how the church can be mobilized to address youth unemployment, the research will provide a blueprint that can be replicated in other communities across Ghana and beyond. This ensures that the impact of the study will not be limited to Wassa Akropong but will have wider relevance for national and regional development efforts.

1.7 Scope of the Study

The study is limited to the Wassa Akropong Circuit in the Western Region of Ghana. It focuses on the causes and effects of youth unemployment, the role of the church, and the challenges faced in implementing empowerment programs. The target population includes church leaders, unemployed youth, and community members within the circuit.

1.8 Operational Definition of Terms

Youth Unemployment: In this study, youth unemployment refers to the condition where young people between the ages of 15 and 35 in Wassa Akropong are without jobs but are actively seeking and willing to work. It includes both those who are entirely unemployed and those who are underemployed, working in jobs that do not fully utilize their skills, qualifications, or potential.

Church: The church is defined here not only as a Christian religious institution but also as a socio-cultural organization with influence in community development. Specifically, it refers to the Wassa Akropong Circuit and its affiliated congregations, which engage in spiritual activities as well as social interventions that can affect the lives of members, particularly the youth.

Wassa Akropong Circuit: This term refers to a local administrative division of a Christian denomination in Wassa Akropong, Ghana. The circuit represents a cluster of congregations under one leadership structure, which provides an organized framework for both spiritual and socio-economic initiatives within the community.

Empowerment: Empowerment in this context refers to the process of equipping young people with the necessary skills, resources, opportunities, and confidence to enable them to become self-reliant and productive. It includes training, mentorship, entrepreneurship support, and moral guidance provided by the church to enhance the employability of the youth.

Socio-economic Development: This term refers to the improvement of both social and economic conditions of individuals and communities. In the study, it relates to the ways in which the church can contribute to better living standards, employment creation, and overall well-being of young people in Wassa Akropong.

Faith-based Interventions: These are initiatives and programs designed and implemented by the church or religious organizations to address social and economic challenges. In this study, faith-based interventions include vocational training, cooperative societies, entrepreneurship development, and other forms of support aimed at reducing youth unemployment.