We had the most beautiful view over the Aburi mountains at night.
It reminded me how far we still have to go in promoting tourism. Views like that should be driving structured investment, the way Cape Town has done so successfully. Even our old fishing harbours should be offering organised boat rides to tourists.
As we sat there, 48-year-old insurance broker Theresa Adjetey Annan said something that stayed with me.
We were discussing youth unemployment, economic inclusion, and all the advocacy around it. Then she said calmly:
“Kofi, no government anywhere can create enough jobs for all its young people.”
Governments can create enabling environments — policy stability, infrastructure, funding windows. But sustainable jobs at scale are created by entrepreneurs.
If over half of our population is young, then the real strategy must be to turn job seekers into job creators.
Youth inclusion must mean access to capital, markets, mentorship and district-level enterprise support. Funding must translate into measurable businesses formed, revenues grown, and jobs created — not just programmes announced. YEA, NEIP and other government interventions on my mind.
And tourism is one sector where this can happen quickly.
A single well-produced reel of Aburi at sunrise, a heritage walk in Jamestown, or a coastal boat ride can attract thousands of potential visitors. Visibility drives demand. Demand drives enterprise. Enterprise drives jobs. Invite Wode Maya to visit and you go viral!
And beyond tourism, Ghana can quickly create youth jobs in agribusiness, food processing, digital services, renewable energy, creative arts, construction, and light manufacturing — sectors where entrepreneurship multiplies opportunity faster than any government payroll ever could.
More entrepreneurs mean more employment opportunities — not just for themselves but for drivers, caterers, artisans, photographers, and service providers.
So why don’t we have more entrepreneurs?
Well many people will never start their own business — not because they lack ideas, but because their friends and family discourage them and rather tell them to find a job.
“It’s risky.”
“Find something stable.”
“What if you fail?”
We all want to please our friends. We all want to make our families proud. But at some point, you must decide who you are really trying to please.
The most important approval is not from your circle. It is from God. And from the person who looks back at you every time you stand in front of the mirror.
What are you talented at? What’s your hobby? Start a business today using your unique skills and create jobs for everyone.
Because sometimes the difference between waiting and creating is simply the courage to disappoint the crowd and obey your calling.
By: Kofi Asmah
Kofi Asmah is a Consultant at the World Bank Group, a lawyer, an entrepreneur and investor
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