Former Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, Prof. Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, has cautioned that persistent economic difficulties could push young Ghanaians to take drastic action against political leaders.
He said the growing financial pressures confronting young professionals were making it increasingly difficult for them to pursue basic life aspirations such as securing decent accommodation, getting married and building financially stable families.
Speaking on Channel One TV’s The Point of View, Prof. Frimpong-Boateng said urgent changes were needed in the country’s approach to economic management and national development.
“I believe that something drastic must happen. Either we change our habits, or one day these young people come and chase us away, because they cannot postpone their dreams. It is a very serious matter,” he said.
The former minister expressed particular concern about the financial circumstances of young teachers, nurses and police officers, questioning how professionals in these fields could establish stable lives on their earnings amid increasing living costs.
“If I look at a young teacher, somebody, a nurse, a policeman, who has qualified, how do you get, and the sort of salaries that you are given, how do you make it in life? When do you decide to marry tomorrow, where are you going to stay?” he asked.
According to him, the rising cost of accommodation, food and transportation has placed significant pressure on young people and limited their ability to plan for the future.
Prof. Frimpong-Boateng compared the current situation in Ghana with his experience as a young professional in Germany, where he said he was able to build a home, educate his children and create employment without depending on financial support from others.
“You know, look, I’ve not needed any help from anybody. I’ve educated my children, built whatever I want to build. Never done, even create jobs for people, but that is no longer there,” he said.
He further lamented what he described as the failure of society and leadership to provide positive examples for the younger generation.
According to him, the difficulties facing young people are creating frustration, with many unwilling to defer their ambitions indefinitely.
“We are not giving any good examples to the younger generation, and they are suffering. You know, they don’t want to sacrifice for anything,” he said.
Despite his concerns about the challenges confronting the country, Prof. Frimpong-Boateng maintained that Ghana could still turn its fortunes around if meaningful changes were introduced.
“So long as we are alive, there’s hope,” he said.
