SYPALA 2026: GDP growth meaningless if it fails to create jobs – Bokpin

By: Godbless Asaana‎

‎The Professor of Finance at the University of Ghana, Professor Godfred A. Bokpin, has warned that economic growth without job creation will do little to improve the lives of Ghanaians.
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‎He said Ghana must pursue an economic system that delivers both sustainable economic growth and sufficient employment opportunities, particularly as the country’s youthful population continues to expand.
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‎Speaking at SYPALA 2026, organised by the IMANI Center for Policy and Education, Professor Bokpin said rising Gross Domestic Product (GDP) does not necessarily translate into lower unemployment.

SYPALA 2026, organised by the IMANI Center for Policy and Education, brought together students, young professionals, academics, entrepreneurs, and policymakers under the theme “Africa’s Ascent: Forging Resilient Economies and Inclusive Governance.”
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‎“Because you can have GDP growth, and unemployment will be going up in that way. In fact, that is what Ghana has celebrated over the years,” he said.
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‎Professor Bokpin noted that Ghana and other African countries are experiencing a significant increase in the number of people entering the labour market, creating an urgent need for policies capable of generating jobs at scale.
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‎“Since the pension reform in 2010, the former and current generations are flapping. What we have seen is an explosion in terms of people exiting and entering the labour force. It’s not only Ghana. That’s what I think across the entire continent,” he said.
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‎He said the continent’s youthful population makes job creation a critical priority for governments, warning that economic policies must be designed to accommodate the growing working-age population.
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‎“The average age of the people of Giza is around 16 years old. Okay, so we must be interested in putting in place an economic system that delivers growth and also delivers Jobs,” Professor Bokpin said.
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‎Professor Bokpin further projected that Ghana’s population will continue to increase significantly in the coming years, placing additional pressure on the labour market.
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‎He therefore called for a deliberate shift towards economic policies that link growth directly to job creation and provide opportunities for the growing number of young people entering the labour force.