In a heartbreaking plea for assistance, Michael Adotey Nyanu, a young unemployed accountant, has expressed his desperation over his prolonged job search, threatening to end his life if he remains unemployed by the end of August 2024. This distressing situation was brought to public attention by Dickson Assan, an accountant and youth career coach, through a post on his LinkedIn page on Thursday, July 25, 2024.
Dickson Assan detailed the challenges faced by Michael, who reached out to him on LinkedIn. Michael conveyed his deep frustration and desperation over the numerous setbacks and encounters with scammers exploiting vulnerable job seekers. Assan emphasized the gravity of Michael’s situation, stating, “When someone threatens to commit suicide, I take it very seriously. It doesn’t matter whether it’s true or not. The core of the message shows a frustrated man.”
Assan shared that Michael’s words, “I have decided to end it all by August if nothing works,” prompted him to write the post. Despite attempts to get Michael’s CV and provide support, Assan has been unsuccessful in reaching him so far.
In his post, Assan made a heartfelt appeal to the public, urging everyone to come together to help Michael secure employment, thereby saving his life and preventing further despair for his family. He reminded readers that “no matter how tough things get, suicide is not an option. Life is precious, and with time, things can improve.”
Michael’s story sheds light on the broader struggles faced by many young Ghanaians. According to the 2023 Annual Household Income and Expenditure Survey (AHIES) released by the Ghana Statistical Service, approximately 1.9 million youth aged 15 to 35 years in Ghana were Not in Education, Employment, or Training (NEET) in the third quarter of 2023. The survey highlighted that females (1.2 million) are disproportionately affected, with a NEET rate of 21.0% compared to males (15.0%). The Greater Accra Region has the highest number of youth NEET, with over half a million (565,360) young people not engaged in any of the three activities.
With nearly 2 million young people struggling to survive, it is crucial that key stakeholders, including the government, private sector, educational institutions, and community leaders, collaborate to provide vital support, resources, and opportunities for their empowerment. This collective effort is essential to address the pressing issue of youth unemployment and to offer hope and opportunities to individuals like Michael Adotey Nyanu.
Read the post below: