Policy Bridge Institute–Africa (PBI-A) has pledged to champion evidence-based policies that will connect education to employment as its founders noted that thousands of Ghanaian graduates continue to spend years searching for jobs.

The institute was officially launched on Friday, July 17, 2026, at the SRC Union Building of the University of Ghana, Legon, with a call on policymakers, academia and industry to work together to transform research into practical solutions that create jobs and prepare young people for the digital economy.

Delivering her address, Co-founder Dr. Loretta Bortey Kabute said the institute was established to bridge the gap between graduation and employment, describing it as one of Ghana's most pressing development challenges.

She disclosed that more than 110,000 students are expected to graduate this year but, according to the Ghana Statistical Service, graduates spend an average of five years searching for jobs.

"What Ghana has not fully built on is a policy bridge that turns head starts into jobs, incomes and opportunities for young people who will inherit the economy," Dr. Kabute said.

She stressed that while Ghana continues to produce talented graduates, the country needs stronger policies that convert academic achievement into meaningful employment and economic opportunities.

Also speaking at the launch, Co-founder Dr. Paschaline Kyaakyille Dere outlined the institute's three strategic pillars namely technology and innovation, jobs and opportunities, and education and skills training.

She said Ghana's digital economy requires deliberate policy interventions to bridge existing gaps and ensure technological advancement translates into inclusive growth and sustainable employment for young people.

According to Dr. Dere, the institute will focus on turning research into practice by producing evidence-based policy recommendations capable of addressing Africa's development challenges and supporting governments in making informed decisions.

The Policy Bridge Institute–Africa aims to serve as a platform that connects research, policy and action to help shape a future where education, innovation and employment work together to unlock opportunities for the continent's growing youth population.