The National Democratic Congress former Parliamentary Candidate for Upper West Akyem Constituency in the Eastern Region, Enoch Ansah, has shed light on the challenges faced by the youth in Ghana’s economy.
Mr Ansah in a thought-provoking article emphasized that even though Ghana’s constitution recognizes the right for every citizen to work in both the formal and informal sectors, the current economic situation has deprived many young people of better-paying jobs.
He further highlighted Article 24 of the 1992 Constitution, which according to him affirms every Ghanaian’s right to work under satisfactory conditions, and thus called on the current government to recognize and respond to the prominent needs of many Ghanaian youth.
Quoting statistics from the World Bank and the International Labour Organization (ILO), Mr Ansah underlined the substantial role of the informal economy in employment, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa.
According to him, in Ghana, there has been a shift from public sector employment to an increasing reliance on private formal and informal sectors, with the private sector now employing 93% of economically active persons.
Expressing concern over the government’s role in job creation, Mr Ansah criticized the current administration led by President Akuffo-Addo, Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, and Finance Minister, Ken Ofori Atta and accused them of mismanagement of the country’s economy.
According to him, the policies of the New Patriotic Party administration under President Akufo-Addo have led to business closures and job losses, particularly in indigenous banks.
“Current estimates indicate that the private sector is the largest employer in Ghana, accounting for 93% of the economically active persons( private informal 86.1% and private formal 7%), and the Pubilc sector accounting for only 6.3%. It is unlikely that the formal economy will be able to generate enough stable salaried work to absorb the influx of new workers.
“It is therefore very critical for the Government of the day who lie their way through to capture political power to put in good measures to either create more Jobs and also to create conducive grounds for private companies and individuals to create and establish more jobs to help absorb most of the unemployed Youths”.
Enoch Ansah
Furthermore, the National Democratic Congress former Parliamentary Candidates in the Upper West Akyem Constituency lamented over the high situation of unemployed youths in the country and attributed their plight to the alleged failure of the government to implement effective measures for job creation.
He questioned the prioritization of free Senior High School education without addressing the fundamental issues of job availability and a conducive environment for business in the country by the New Patriotic Party administration under President Akufo-Addo.
“Businesses in this country are collapsing gradually because of bad Governance and poor policies under the Akuffo-Addo, Bawumia kum Ofori Atta led administration. They spent millions to collapse indigenous banks which they could have used even half of what they spent to collapse it to sustain them and keep the youths who were working there employed.
“Now these youths are unemployed and many have died due to Job loss and debt. This current Government is heartless and they have no good plans for the good people of my beloved Country Ghana”.
Enoch Ansah,
Former NDC PC Criticizes Student Unions Over Its Inaction Amidst Economic Hardship
Moreover, Mr Enoch Ansah criticized the perceived inaction of most student groups in the country including the National Union of Ghanaians Students amidst the current economic challenges, citing unpaid allowances for national service personnel, nursing, and teacher trainees among others.
Mr Ansah drew parallels between the treatment of past leaders like Dr Kwame Nkrumah and former President John Dramani Mahama with the current government’s actions and further accused the New Patriotic Party administration of stifling dissent, silencing voices, and imposing insensitive taxes on Ghanaians despite an already worsened economic system
Commenting on the government’s recently introduced emission levy, Mr Ansah argued that such a tax policy would further impoverish Ghanaians.
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