Ghana’s Care Economy: ISSER Proposes Formalized Geriatric Care to Combat 13.6% Unemployment Rate

Professor Charles Ackah of the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER) has spotlighted Ghana’s emerging care economy as a critical, yet largely untapped, frontier for tackling the nation's rising unemployment. With projections suggesting a national unemployment rate of 13.6% for 2024, the call for formalizing adult and geriatric care comes at a time when traditional employment sectors are struggling to absorb the growing labor force. Prof. Ackah emphasizes that the aging population represents an unserviced market that, if properly structured, could serve as a powerful engine for mass employment and sustainable economic growth.

Central to this proposal is the transformation of informal caregiving into a professionalized industry. Currently, care for the elderly in Ghana is predominantly informal and often falls on the shoulders of women, who must navigate the difficult balance between unpaid caregiving and their professional lives. By investing in specialized training for the youth, Ghana can create a new class of professional caregivers. This shift would not only provide much-needed jobs for young people—particularly those entering the labor market—but also alleviate the domestic pressures on women, potentially increasing their overall participation and productivity in other sectors of the economy.

To successfully bridge this gap, Prof. Ackah advocates for the creation of a national policy framework and robust training programs to ensure high standards of service delivery. He draws comparisons to more advanced caregiving models in Europe and South Africa, suggesting that Ghana can learn from these systems to build a resilient care infrastructure. By formalizing this sector, the government can ensure that caregiving is viewed as a viable and respected career path rather than a domestic obligation. Such a move would improve the quality of life for the elderly and establish a new pillar for social welfare that aligns with modern economic needs.

Looking ahead, the integration of the care economy into Ghana’s national development strategy offers a path toward both social equity and economic resilience. As the demographic landscape shifts and the demand for specialized elder care grows, the formalization of this sector will be essential. By taking proactive steps to train the workforce and regulate the industry, Ghana has the opportunity to turn a social necessity into a source of economic strength, providing a dignified future for its seniors and stable employment for its youth, ultimately contributing significantly to the nation’s overall social welfare.