Ghana’s population has crossed the 33 million mark and while this growth reflects progress in healthcare, education, and overall living conditions, it also raises important questions about how well the nation is preparing to turn the numbers into opportunities?
As Professor Michael Kwankye of the Regional Institute for Population Studies (RIPS), University of Ghana, rightly observed, what matters most is not the size of the population but its composition.
A large working-age population can drive economic transformation if productively engaged, however, if the majority remain unemployed or underemployed, the very factor that should be an asset becomes a heavy burden on society.
This is where the national conversation must focus and beyond celebrating demographic milestones, Ghana must ask whether enough jobs are being created to absorb the growing workforce.
Unemployment and underemployment remain pressing challenges, particularly for young graduates whose frustration grows each year.
The demographic dividend will not be automatic; it requires deliberate investment in education, skills training, and an enabling environment for job creation.
Equally pressing is the issue of Ghana’s ageing population. Rising life expectancy is a marker of development, yet it comes with the responsibility to sustain pension systems and strengthen social protection.
The Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), as reported in recent times to be under strain, will face greater challenges as more citizens retire without adequate contributions, particularly those in the informal sector.
The Ghanaian Times is of the opinion that unless urgent reforms are undertaken, the system risks collapsing under its own weight. In addition, healthcare and social services must be scaled up to meet the needs of the elderly.
Underlying these concerns is the need for leadership and policy continuity. Too often, national development plans are abandoned with each change of government, leaving projects half-finished and visions unfulfilled.
Prof. Kwankye’s metaphor: “nation-building should be like constructing a skyscraper, with each generation adding a floor rather than demolishing what has been built,” is apt.
This calls for a non-partisan approach to development planning. Ghana needs a consistent, long-term vision that goes beyond electoral cycles.
We believe that it’s only by investing in human capital, ensuring sustainable pensions, and creating opportunities for its youth that the country can transform its population into a true driver of progress.
The lesson is clear: population growth in itself is not a guarantee of prosperity. It is what the nation does with its people that will determine whether Ghana’s future is secure or uncertain.
The opportunity is now and leadership must rise above partisanship, commit to continuity, and put people at the centre of policy.
Ghana’s population should be seen not as a looming challenge, but as the foundation for its next stage of development.