President John Mahama has raised concerns about rising youth unemployment and weak health systems across Africa, calling the situation a “pandemic of unfulfilled potential” that requires urgent, decisive action by the continent’s leaders.

Addressing the Zambian Parliament on Thursday, February 5, President Mahama highlighted the growing number of unemployed young people in Ghana and across Africa, calling on governments to prioritise job creation and policies that empower youth to contribute meaningfully to economic growth.

He stressed that youth unemployment goes beyond economics, warning that the lack of opportunities poses serious social and security risks by leaving millions of young Africans exposed to crime, instability and wasted potential.

Turning to healthcare, President Mahama described Africa’s health systems as fragile, cautioning that the continent remains highly vulnerable amid shifting global priorities, including declining development assistance and rising defence spending worldwide.

“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 urged African leaders to respond with transparency and pragmatism, emphasising that building resilient economies, strengthening health systems and creating opportunities for the youth are critical to unlocking Africa’s vast but underutilised potential.

“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,” he added.