Failure to Meet Citizens' Expectations Is Driving Migration Pressures Across Africa — MTN Ghana Board Chairman

 

The inability of African countries to meet citizens’ expectations for jobs, economic opportunities and improved livelihoods is contributing to rising migration pressures across the continent, MTN Ghana Board Chairman Dr Ishmael Yamson has said.

Dr Yamson said many young Africans were choosing to leave their countries not because migration itself was the problem, but because gaps in economic opportunity, skills development and inclusive growth had created conditions where people felt compelled to seek better prospects elsewhere.

Speaking at the Kgalema Motlanthe Foundation Winter Seminar in South Africa on Thursday, July 23, 2026, on the theme “Migration, Economic Opportunity and Africa’s Shared Prosperity: A West African Perspective,” Dr Yamson said governments and businesses must focus on creating economies where citizens can fulfil their aspirations at home.

I had the honour of chairing a book launch of our Presidential Chief of Staff on citizen expectations of government. What surprised me the most is when the Chief of Staff said the citizens’ expectations have not been met, as has happened in South Africa and elsewhere in Africa,” he said.

According to him, when citizens do not see pathways to economic advancement, migration becomes an attractive alternative.

When young people have access to quality education, productive employment, entrepreneurship opportunities, reliable infrastructure, digital connectivity and efficient markets, migration becomes a choice rather than a necessity,” he said.

Dr Yamson argued that Africa’s migration challenge must therefore be addressed by expanding opportunities rather than restricting movement. “People move where opportunity exists. Our task is therefore not to stop people moving. Our task is to ensure that Africa creates sufficient opportunity for its people wherever they may choose to live and work,” he added.

Opportunity deficit driving migration

The MTN Ghana Chairman said Africa’s inability to fully harness its economic potential had contributed to growing frustrations among citizens, particularly young people entering the labour market.

He noted that Africa has one of the youngest populations in the world, with about 70 per cent of its people below the age of 30, but warned that demographic advantage would only translate into prosperity if matched with opportunities.

He stressed that Africa must transform its demographic dividend into a skills dividend by investing in education, technical and vocational training, entrepreneurship, digital capabilities and innovation ecosystems. “If we fail to prepare our young people for the future economy, migration pressures will increase,” he cautioned.

Lessons from migration tensions

Dr Yamson also referenced historical migration tensions between Ghana and Nigeria as examples of why Africa must approach migration with greater cooperation and understanding.

He recalled Ghana’s 1969 expulsion of migrants and Nigeria’s 1983 expulsion of Ghanaians in what became known as the “Ghana Must Go” episode.

We did that in Ghana in 1969. We sent away thousands of migrants and gave them 14 days. Years later, Nigerians retaliated when millions of Ghanaians were sent packing in what became known as ‘Ghana Must Go’,” he said.

He said the experiences showed that migration challenges cannot be solved through exclusion but through policies that create shared economic opportunities.

Building economies that work for citizens

Dr Yamson, who is also a member of Ghana’s Presidential Advisory Group on the Economy, said sustainable development required strong institutions, private sector growth, investment in people and regional integration.

He said Ghana’s economic priorities, including macroeconomic stability, industrialisation, youth employment, digital transformation, financial inclusion and AfCFTA implementation, reflected the broader needs of African economies.

He concluded that Africa’s long-term solution to migration pressures was to build economies where citizens could access meaningful opportunities.

An Africa where young people are equipped with the skills of the future. An Africa connected through infrastructure and digital networks. An Africa where entrepreneurs can scale across borders. An Africa where migration is linked to opportunity rather than desperation,” he said.