The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has urged President John Dramani Mahama to prioritise Ghana’s growing unemployment crisis, warning that the situation poses a threat to national stability.

Speaking at the 59th Congregation of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) on Saturday, November 29, the Asantehene said the country can no longer overlook the scale of joblessness among the youth.

“We are all aware of the unemployment situation in this nation,” he stated. “Unemployment is a major issue in the country. It is a national concern, and the President should take a keen interest in this critical issue.”

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II explained that the severity of the problem compelled him to raise the matter when the German President and Ambassador visited him last month. He reiterated his appeal to the German government to invest in Ghana’s small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs), noting that strengthening the sector is essential for job creation.

Beyond unemployment, the Asantehene expressed concern about the staffing challenges facing KNUST. He said the university’s lecturer-student ratio has become increasingly unfavourable and risks undermining teaching and learning.

“The situation places a heavy strain on our dedicated lecturers and threatens the quality of education we provide,” he noted, referencing findings from the Ghana Education Commission’s recent five-year cyclical review.

He appealed to government to grant the necessary financial clearance for KNUST to recruit more academic and administrative staff.

The Asantehene also congratulated graduates and commended the university’s leadership, but maintained that addressing unemployment and strengthening educational institutions must remain national priorities.

“These issues require urgent attention if we are to secure a stable and prosperous future for our country,” he stressed.