Anthony Nukpenu, the Greater Accra Regional Organiser of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has called on unemployed Ghanaians and the youth to leverage the current economic landscape to foster self-employment, cautioning against an entrenched culture of overreliance on the state for direct employment.
Speaking in a recent interview, Nukpenu argued that the role of the government is primarily to establish a job-friendly environment rather than to serve as the sole employer for the entire populace. According to the regional organiser, the “enabling environment” promised by the Mahama administration is already taking shape, leaving the burden of initiative on the individual.
“Political promise is about creating the environment, and that environment has already been created. The question is, how are you taking advantage of it? What can you do? You cannot sit at home and say we promised you a job, so the job must come to you. The job will not walk to you, come around the table and look for you”
Anthony Nukpenu, NDC Greater Accra Regional Organiser
Nukpenu emphasized that the youth must be proactive in exploring the economic space being created in 2026 and beyond, maintaining that sitting at home in anticipation of a government-mandated role is a strategic error for any young person seeking to navigate the modern economy.
The NDC official also directed criticism toward the prevailing mindset among young people who prioritize government-funded salaried positions over entrepreneurial growth.
Nukpenu noted that this specific expectation limits the creativity and innovation necessary for the country’s private sector to thrive. He suggested that the desire for a regular government paycheck often blinds citizens to the broader opportunities emerging through various state-led initiatives and policies.
He urged the youth to reposition themselves to tap into the prospects and opportunities being created rather than waiting for a monthly payroll placement that may not materialize for everyone.
24-Hour Economy
Addressing ongoing discussions regarding the government’s flagship 24-hour economy policy, Nukpenu clarified that the initiative is a long-term strategic intervention rather than an overnight fix.
He explained that the policy is designed to provide a secure and stable environment that allows businesses and individuals to operate around the clock. This structure, he argued, is a significant part of the enabling environment that the youth are being encouraged to exploit. “We are working hard to ensure a more secure environment so that whatever you want to do around the clock, you can take advantage of it,” he explained.
Nukpenu further pointed out that public frustration often stems from a lack of clarity regarding how to access these new economic opportunities.
He called on government appointees to improve their communication strategies to ensure the public fully understands the progress being made, arguing that it is the duty of the party to engage the masses and explain exactly how they can benefit from current initiatives.
“Our duty as a party is to engage the masses and explain government opportunities to them,” he stated, reiterating that the political promise regarding employment was never a guarantee of direct placement but a commitment to economic reform. The Regional Organiser insisted that for as long as citizens remain passive, the benefits of the government’s work will remain out of reach.
He explained that as the current administration enters its second year, the focus remains not only on the government fulfilling its promises, but also on shifting the national narrative from state-dependency to private enterprise and individual effort.
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