President John Dramani Mahama has raised awareness of Africa’s deteriorating health systems and growing young unemployment, characterising the continent’s problems as a “pandemic of unfulfilled potential” that requires immediate response from African leaders.
President Mahama emphasised the high incidence of youth unemployment in Ghana and around the continent in his speech to the Zambian Parliament on Thursday, February 5. He urged countries to provide real opportunities that empower youth and promote economic progress.
He emphasised that teenage unemployment exposes millions to crime, instability, and lost opportunities, making it a social and security issue in addition to an economic one.
Speaking about healthcare, President Mahama described Africa’s health systems as fragile and cautioned that the continent is still at risk due to changes in international priorities, defence spending, and aid.
“We must confront the battle for the economic emancipation of our countries at a time when global geopolitics is undergoing tectonic shifts. Today, global humanitarian assistance is shrinking, official development assistance is declining, defence spending is rising, and traditional multilateral systems are under strain,” he said.
The president of Ghana urged African leaders to address these issues in an open and practical manner, stressing that overcoming the continent’s unrealised potential requires creating robust economies, robust health systems, and chances for young people.
“Africa faces a different pandemic, the pandemic of unfulfilled potential. Millions of young people remain unemployed; health systems are fragile; and economies extract wealth without building capacity. We must confront this reality decisively,” Mahama reiterated.
Source: newsthemegh.com