Unemployment tops list of Ghana’s most pressing challenges – IEA survey

Unemployment has been identified as the most critical issue confronting Ghana, with nearly half of respondents—46 per cent—citing joblessness as the country’s biggest challenge, according to a new survey by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA).

The nationwide opinion poll, conducted in December 2025 among more than 1,000 respondents across all regions, shows that concerns about job creation significantly outweigh other national issues.

Illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, ranked second, with 30 per cent of respondents describing it as the most pressing problem facing the country. The prominence of galamsey reflects rising public concern over environmental degradation, water pollution, and the long-term sustainability of Ghana’s natural resources.

“Forty-six per cent and 30 per cent of respondents indicated that unemployment and illegal mining, respectively, top the list of the most important issues facing the country today,” the IEA report stated.

Corruption, which has featured prominently in national discourse in recent years, was identified by just nine per cent of respondents as the most important issue. The general state of the economy followed at eight per cent, while housing and transportation attracted relatively minimal concern, with 2.6 per cent and 1.5 per cent respectively.

The findings suggest that while governance and macroeconomic issues remain relevant, many Ghanaians place greater emphasis on the immediate challenges of securing employment and safeguarding the environment.

The IEA noted that policy initiatives focused on job creation and the effective regulation of illegal mining are likely to gain strong public support, particularly if they deliver tangible and measurable outcomes.

The survey was conducted one year after President John Dramani Mahama assumed office on January 7, 2025. The Institute added that how these challenges are addressed will likely shape public perceptions of governance and leadership going forward.

Despite the concerns highlighted in the poll, President Mahama recorded a 68 per cent job approval rating, indicating continued public optimism about his administration’s capacity to address the country’s key challenges.