The Trades Union Congress (TUC-Ghana) says the growing desperation among young Ghanaians in their search for employment has become one of the most pressing challenges facing the country.
The union notes that it has repeatedly urged successive governments to prioritise job creation and invest meaningfully in the key sectors that drive economic growth.
For years, the TUC has also expressed concern that the ministries and agencies responsible for labor and employment remain under-resourced. It believes this lack of capacity has weakened the national response to rising unemployment and contributed to the difficult conditions young people face as they try to secure work.
It is against this backdrop that the TUC says the recent tragedy at the Ghana Armed Forces recruitment exercise at the El-Wak Sports Stadium must be viewed. The union expressed deep sorrow over the incident, which resulted in the deaths of six young women and left several others injured. It extended condolences to the families and wished those who were injured a full recovery.
The TUC described the tragedy as a painful reminder of the pressures many young people face. According to the union, thousands see the security services as one of the few remaining avenues for stable employment, making recruitment exercises highly competitive and sometimes unsafe. It stressed the need for all public recruitment processes to be conducted in a safe, dignified and transparent manner.
The union called on the Government, the Ministry of Defence and other authorities to carry out a comprehensive and transparent investigation into the incident and to ensure accountability. It also urged a review of recruitment procedures within the security services to guarantee fairness and protect applicants from avoidable risks.
Beyond immediate reforms, the TUC repeated its call for stronger efforts to tackle youth unemployment, especially among young women who are often the most vulnerable. It emphasised the need for sustained investments in job creation, vocational training and empowerment programmes as part of a coordinated national strategy.
The TUC expressed solidarity with the bereaved families and with young people across the country who continue to struggle for decent work. It said the El-Wak tragedy should serve as a turning point in Ghana’s approach to unemployment and the agencies responsible for addressing it.
