Youth Pulse 2026

In Ghana, nearly 90% of tertiary graduates remain unemployed during their first year after graduation, reflecting a gap between academic preparation and employability. To address this, an initiative called My First Job – conceived and led by young leaders at the Global Shapers Accra Hub, in partnership with the Ministry of Education and the National Service Secretariat – reimagines the country’s mandatory national service placement scheme as a launchpad for meaningful youth employment. The scheme runs a mandatory one-year programme for tertiary graduates, providing them with practical work experience.My First Job integrates skill development, coaching and industry mentorship into the existing service year, equipping participants with practical experience and pathways into the labour market. Following the six-month accelerator, 60% of participants secured their first job within three months of completion. By aligning youth-led innovation with public-sector infrastructure, My First Job demonstrates how intergenerational collaboration can transform policy into impact. Its scalable model offers a blueprint for other countries seeking to enhance graduate employability, foster entrepreneurship and build systems where young people are not just beneficiaries, but co- designers of solutions.CASE STUDY 1. REIMAGINING ENTRY PATHWAYS – GHANA’S MY FIRST JOB INITIATIVE Youth-led innovation is transforming national service into a launchpad for employment and skill development. For the first time in history, five generations are working side by side.12 When asked what matters most for their future, young respondents emphasized a sense of purpose (61%) and balance (50%) above traditional benefits such as medical coverage or retirement savings.This signals a redefinition of success: while previous generations equated prosperity with stability,13 young people today emphasize meaning, flexibility and alignment with personal values. Work is not just a livelihood, but a means of contribution – a call for an economics that rewards meaning, well-being and collaboration alongside productivity.Redefining work and purpose Career and workplace priorities FIGURE 3 What matters most to you when thinking about your future career?* 61.8% A sense of purpose or meaning58.1% Flexibility and work-life balance/uni00A045.1% Job and financial security40% Learning and career advancement opportunities 27.3% Innovation and creativity25.6% Mental health and well-being 17.3% Supportive and inclusive workplace6.7% Health or medical benefits 5.4% Retirement savings or pension plans1% Others Note: *Respondents were asked to select up to three Youth Pulse 2026: Insights from the next generation for a changing world 11