The Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, has underscored the urgent imperative for Ghana to fundamentally transform and diversify its economy, averring that the rising tide of youth unemployment and other structural challenges make a compelling case for the country to fast-track its economic transformation.

Speaking at the ongoing Kwahu Business Forum in the Eastern Region on Friday, March 3, 2026, Julius Debrah asserted that Ghanaian youth are in dire need of viable economic opportunities and that while motivation and inspiration are valuable, creating tangible economic pathways for them is far more critical.

According to the Chief of Staff, Ghana must overhaul its economic strategy and place manufacturing at its core, as this remains the most effective route to tackling the nation’s escalating unemployment crisis.

Without dismissing the importance of inspiring the youth, Hon. Julius Debrah stressed that the time has come to move beyond rhetoric and focus on building concrete economic pathways that will genuinely empower young Ghanaians.

“Ghana is a youthful nation, and the demand for meaningful employment is pressing. Our young people do not merely need inspiration — they need real pathways to work, productivity, ownership, and dignity,” he declared.

Highlighting the pivotal role of manufacturing in driving economic transformation, Julius Debrah stated that it represents the most powerful catalyst for reversing Ghana’s economic fortunes by forging a direct connection between production and value addition.

He explained that Ghana’s economic blueprint must be anchored in manufacturing, as it holds the key to meaningful expansion and sustainable transformation of the economy.

“Manufacturing creates these opportunities at scale. It generates jobs not only within factories, but across the entire value chain, from agriculture and logistics to packaging, engineering, maintenance, marketing, technology, warehousing, finance, and distribution. In essence, industrial growth multiplies opportunities far beyond a single production line.

“It also bolsters exports, strengthens local supply chains, enhances foreign exchange resilience, and expands GDP through genuine value addition rather than reliance on raw commodity exports. If we desire a larger, more stable, and more inclusive economy, then manufacturing must occupy the centre of our national growth strategy,” he affirmed.

The forum, which has become a key feature of Ghana’s Easter calendar, has attracted more than 1,000 participants, including entrepreneurs, investors and policymakers from across the country and beyond.

Organisers say the event is designed to deepen investment partnerships, promote business opportunities and provide a platform for enterprises of all sizes to showcase their products and services.

Participants are also expected to benefit from masterclasses and insights from seasoned business leaders, particularly from the Kwahu enclave, on building resilient and sustainable enterprises.

The renewed focus on manufacturing comes amid broader efforts by the government to diversify the economy, create jobs and strengthen Ghana’s position within the West African sub-region.