Already, the President had admitted at a media encounter to the unavailability of up to date employment figures.

Recently, the Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto also announced that government has created 745,000 jobs under the Planting for Food and Jobs programme despite doubts over the figure.

Citi Business News analysis on the state of unemployment in Ghana show that meeting the demands of the teeming unemployed youth in the country has been a major challenge for the NPP government, a year into its administration.

Even though major government policies such as the one district, one factory; planting for food and jobs as well as the establishment of a Nation Builders’ Corps have all been geared at creating jobs, it seems the majority of Ghanaians are yet to realize the impact.

Coupled with this is the seeming inability by the economic managers to give details on jobs created over the last one year.

Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia at this year’s New Year School at the University of Ghana, described the country’s unemployment situation as a national security issue.

“High unemployment is no doubt the most pressing issue of our time … it is a national security issue because the devil finds work for idle hands, ultimately the high level of unemployment is a reflection of the underlined weaknesses in our economy,” he said.

The Executive Chairman of Jonah Capital, Sir Sam Jonah admits that the situation becomes dire, when governments tend to assume the mandate of creating jobs for the unemployed citizenry.

“In today’s world, it is simply unrealistic to expect that governments by themselves can create jobs on a sustainable basis; it is now generally accepted that this is the role of the private sector and if I may say so , it will be unproductive for us to engage in idle debate over ideology.  For the peace and stability of our dear nation, jobs have to be created and to do so requires significant capital.”

Meanwhile, Sir Sam Jonah is hopeful that working to achieve a Ghanaian owned economy with significant ownership in critical sectors like telecom, mining and banking, should provide the springboard to leap unto job creation.

“The reversal of this unsatisfactory and unhealthy situation will require a complete mind change at all levels of society, a new approach at which we generate local interest and ownership of private businesses must be grounded on a conscious promotion of national capitalism, economic empowerment  doesn’t just happen, it is a deliberate and conscious effort and it is a consequence of government policy.”

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By: Pius Amihere Eduku & Lawrence Segbefia/citibusinessnews.com/Ghana

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He said the government cannot currently provide comprehensive information on its labor statistics despite claims his government has created some jobs, and is in the process of adding more.

[contextly_sidebar id=”pDa1VYwsADIzAZpTAS5dWuxv31bbkivT”]The New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the run-up to the 2016 elections, campaigned among other things on the back of its drive to ensure massive employment.

It argued that the John Mahama administration did very little to improve the unemployment situation, and also accused it of lying about the number of jobs that it said it had created.

However, after over 12 months in office, the government is unable to indicate the number of jobs it has actually created.

Reacting to a question about the number of jobs the government had created at the second media encounter at the Flagstaff House on Wednesday, President Akufo-Addo said, “the statistics on the jobs…. I am barely one year in office. Some of these statistics are being collected as we speak now so the labour statistics as to the number of jobs that have been created, those are not statistics that are at hand anywhere. Even for the government, I believe that they are in the process of being assembled, so perhaps in 2 or 3 months, we will be in a better position to answer that question in a more effective manner.”

Meanwhile, a Deputy Minister for Finance, Kwaku Kwarteng, has suggested that the country does not have statistics on its labour because its economy is largely informal.

Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Thursday, Mr. Kwarteng said existing data used by the government are from sources including the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), and the Ghana Statistical Service, although they are not exactly accurate.

He however stressed that, when the National Identification system becomes fully operational, it will help the government accurately determine the labor dynamics in the country.

“It is wrong to say that because of all these inadequacies, the government is not in the position to design policies to improve the unemployment situation. The strategies to know accurately how many are employed and what kind of employment they are looking for is not something we can do overnight and we cannot wait to do all that before we design policies,” he said.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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According to him, efforts by successive governments to attract Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) have rather contributed to giving such expatriates an urge over local businesses in growing the enterprises for growth and job creation.

Mr. Jonah, a former CEO of Anglogold Ashanti made the remarks at the opening of this year’s edition of the annual New Year School at the University of Ghana.

This year’s edition of the New Year School focused largely on addressing the country’s unemployment issues.

For more on the suggestions he made, have a listen to the full speech.

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By: Pius Amihere Eduku/citibusinessnews.com/Ghana

The post Sam Jonah’s perspectives on solving unemployment [Audio] appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

He said the government must depoliticize its job creation policies in order to ensure that the country does not risk breeding criminals through the neglect of jobless youth.

[contextly_sidebar id=”Ica4NoenvQNJpdpK1YNcEq0FW0KuiIFC”]His comment was in reaction to the exponential increase in the number of applicants for this year’s recruitment exercise of the Ghana Immigration Service.

From about 40,000 applications in the previous year, over 84,000 persons applied for this year’s recruitment exercise.

Many have attributed the increase to the high levels of unemployment in the country.

Prof. Antwi Danso said the developments from the Immigration Service recruitment was “an indication that the unemployment situation in Ghana is very dire and serious.”

“Nobody should think of it in political terms. This is purely a socioeconomic problem which should be solved by the politician,” he said.

“Serious numbers like this in their youthful age between the ages of 20 and 35, unemployed become a hot magma from which all kinds of vices can be mined. If there is the chance for indulging in anything unconstitutional they will do it because they have to survive and that is how you look at it when security is concerned… For me it is a big security problem,” he added.

Prof. Antwi Danso, chided successive policy makers for giving too much emphasis to the political implications of job creation program rather than the socio-economic benefits.

He also called for the restructuring of the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) into an apolitical organization that must focus on researching and bringing to the fore all that challenges within the country that must be addressed.

“Policymakers over the years have always looked at the political dividend which is very unfortunate. We need to look at the socioeconomic dividend. The National Development Planning Commission should be made an apolitical commission filled with technocrats who will do their research and know the deficits we have in the country and plan. So politicians will go to the NDPC before they draw their manifestos,” he said.

While arguing that the government must make unemployed youth the targets for its programs, including the flagship 1 District 1 Factor, Prof. Antwi Danso said “the government must think about how to absorb these youth into programs that yield results so that for those results people are paid.”

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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According to him, the current levels of unemployment in the country are worrying, and must be dealt with swiftly in 2018.

[contextly_sidebar id=”9NcN2hb6AlE9KAsOjqdJ70tcFZgPxHJe”]Speaking to Citi News, Spokesperson for the Chief Imam, Sheikh Aremeyaw Shaibu, also asked the government to prioritize the implementation of policies that will provide job opportunities for all.

“Unemployment is an issue and young people who are growing would have to have hope. When they go to school, they want to return and also do something for themselves so we want a situation where policy will be directed towards ensuring that greater opportunity is created.”.

The Christian Council of Ghana in its new year’s message also called on the government to prioritize the development of the youth by investing in them.

The General Secretary of the Council,  Rev. Dr. Kwabena Opuni Frimpong, who made the call said:“One area that attention must be given to is the development of our young people. Ghanaian young people are not lazy. They are determined, they want to work, but we must be a country that gives hope and opportunities to our young people and it should not be hope outside us, it must be hope within and those who have resources to invest, must invest in this country for young people to get employment.”

‘Foundation laid’

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo recently said that the government has put structures in place to ensure that the country’s unemployment challenges are addressed.

According to Nana Addo, despite inheriting an economy in dire straits, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration has worked assiduously towards ensuring that job opportunities are created for Ghanaians.

“We’ve had important challenges; Invincible and Delta Forces and the tensions at the grassroots of the party over jobs. I appreciate very much the anxiety over jobs. What I’m saying is that, the foundation has been laid for jobs. It has not been easy because we inherited a bankrupt economy, but because of the ingenuity of the people I’m working with, we’ve been able to lay a good foundation,” the President said in December.

Unemployment rate doubles in two years

Ghana’s unemployment rate stood at 11.9 percent in 2015, according to a report from the Ghana Labour Force Survey Report by the Ghana Statistical Service.

This was about twice the figure recorded in 2012/2013 (5.8%) based on the Statistical services strict definition of unemployment – where “one was not working, actively looking for a job and available for work.”

However, the definition changed for the 2015 studies which was based on a relaxed definition where “one was available for work and not working within the last seven days before an interview.”

The report, which is the first of its kind and most detailed, was designed to guide government’s plan in resolving the alarming rate of unemployment in the country.

‘Ghana’s biggest problem’

A survey conducted by the Institute of Economic Affairs, (IEA) also identified unemployment as the foremost problem confronting the majority of Ghanaians today.

According to the survey, urban dwellers, females, and the majority of people living in the Western, Eastern and Central regions, identified unemployment as their biggest problem in Ghana.

The survey, conducted between November and December, 2015, sampled 1,500 respondents from across the ten regions of Ghana, who were 18 years of age, and above.

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By: Marian Ansah & Bobbie Osei/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Gov’t must tackle youth unemployment – Chief Imam appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to the Minister for Employment and Labour Relations, Ignatius Baffuor Awuah, the ILO is providing technical support for the resolution of a number of challenges in the labour market.

[contextly_sidebar id=”exURS9JYTnZNo4k1DL16AJJvf3Ibmfem”]Speaking to Citi News, Mr. Baffuor Awuah said the international body’s support will be of immense benefit to overcoming labour challenges.

“They are helping us to develop what we call the labour impact assessment which we are almost through. We are also collaborating with them developing so many other projects in the job value chain, especially the areas of ensuring that decent work outcomes are adhered to as well as eradicating child labour from the labour force. These are all some of the projects we are doing with the ILO,” the Minister outlined.

“In case we need anything technical issues as far as labour issues are concerned, we fall on them for technical support. So the ILO has actually been a very strong pillar in what we do at the ministry,” the Minister added.

The ILO is a United Nations agency that deals with labour problems relating to international labour standards and social protection.

Ghana is one of the 187 states under the umbrella of the ILO.

Unemployment struggle

Unemployment is ranked as one of the most pressing labour challenges confronting Ghana’s economy.

The latest Ghana Labour Force Survey Report by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) pegged the unemployment rate at 11.9% in 2015, a rise of about 6% since 2012/2013.

But even that figure has been disputed by observers, like the Unemployed University Graduates Association who believe the figure is significantly higher.

The unemployment rate is highest in the Upper West Region (18.4%) and lowest in the Brong Ahafo Region (8.4%).

Two thirds (67.6%) of the population; 15 years and older, are employed while 23.3 percent are outside the labour force.

About one-tenth (11.7%) of the employed population are underemployed.

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By: Bobbie Osei/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Close ties with ILO will help Ghana address labour issues – Minsiter appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The one-day workshop which will be addressed by the Chief of Staff, will look at how the government and the private sector can effectively tackle issues of unemployment and job creation.

The CEOs and top government officials will deliberate on how to re-channel their corporate social responsibilities into a more focused agenda to address unemployment.

CEOs from 32 banks, 24 oil-related companies, 20 big-name retail companies, and 16 automobile and airline companies, 10 mining companies, six pharmaceuticals and other health service providers as well as the five telcos, will all have one agenda to deliberate on.

The Chief of Staff, Madam Frema Osei-Opare, is the headline speaker for the forum which will also be supported by the Business Development Minister, Mohammed Awal.

Lessons from developed countries like South Africa will be at hand for the CEOs.  The youngest MP, Francisca Oteng-Mensah, who was 23 years old when she won the Kwabre East seat, will make a case for greater attention to youth development.

Ghana has an extremely youthful population with at least 57% of its 27 million citizens being less than 25 years. While unemployment data is scanty, a 2006 National Security report pegged unemployment at 26% of the population. More than a decade later, many believe the situation has worsened.

Deputy CEO of the National Youth Authority (NYA), Bright Acheampong, said: “the forum gives the CEOs an opportunity to interact among themselves and also plan on how to help government look at the unemployment situation.”

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By: Sammi Wiafe/citifmonline.coom/Ghana

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As government launched the One-District-One-Factory programme on Friday with the sod-cutting for the Ekumfi Pineapple Factory, President Nana Akufo-Addo noted that 80,000 jobs were also expected to be created from the running of these factories.

“It is envisioned that 51 districts will actually start the implementation of their enterprises by the end of the year with the potential to generate a minimum of 80,000 direct and indirect jobs,” the President said.

With the first factory commissioned under the policy, the President said: “it is now clear that this programme is destined to succeed,” and the naysayers who did not believe in the New Patriotic Party’s One-District-One-Factory’ project have been put to shame.

The Ekumfi pineapple factory is expected to employ over 5000 people and will be completed by mid-2018.

President Akufo-Addo also appealed for the “unalloyed support of every Ghanaian and the financial institutions and organisations for the success of this project.”

The One-District-One-Factory programme will also be key to stemming rural-urban migration and dealing with unemployment, the President said.

“We have to banish the sector of young able bodied young men and women who leave our rural areas for urban areas in search of non-existent jobs.”

“Every district in our country abounds in raw materials and it is the vision of the government to create economic growth poles out of them. It is the only way we can deal effectively with the greatest threat to our future – widespread unemployment among our youth.”

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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post 51 districts to get factories by end of 2017 – Nana Addo appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Mr. Blay, who is also the board chair of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation GNPC, believes Ghana’s problems cannot be solved by the government immediately, in the light of the economic situation the NPP inherited from the previous government.

[contextly_sidebar id=”uMDXlYZKvAvqWUlBe7fJnRUK4hhlQjs4″]Speaking exclusively to Citi News in Takoradi, Mr. Blay insisted that nothing can be done immediately to address problems that have existed for many years.

He said “nothing will be done immediately to the extent that all solutions will be found to all problems that have persisted over years particularly considering the kind of economy this government inherited. Government is saddled with huge debts, the microeconomic situation is that bad which needs to be stabilized. You can’t do all of them at the same time.”

He added that “we are improving NHIS, we are bringing free education starting September, and quite a lot of other programs. Even cocoa as we have depended on have had its prices coming down very badly. If you consider all these things, we can’t solve all the problems overnight.”

He acknowledged the trust Ghanaians have had in the NPP to turn things around but said, whilst government is working to deal with the problems under the leadership of Nana Akuffo Addo, “we expect people to be patient. We plead with them to be a little bit patient with the government.”

“It’s understandable when you have been hungry for a while, when you have been cheated for a while, and you think your government has come into power, you will wish that all problems should be solved immediately.”

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By: Obrempong Yaw Ampofo/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post ‘We can’t solve Ghana’s problems at a go’ – Freddie Blay appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

“We experienced a government that was under performing and it was based on those difficulties that Ghanaians felt that there was the need to change the baton. The baton is in their hands now and we expect that they will work with the sense of urgency to deliver the many jobs Ghanaians are looking up to. That is all that we expect from them, we are not demanding too much, Communications Director of the Progressive People’s PPP Paa Kow Ackon added in a Citi News interview.

President Akufo-Addo during his media encounter in July 2017 said the period was to too short to measure the number of jobs he has created for the youth.

However, his Senior Minister, Yaw Osafo Maafo recently said the public sector was full and thus government might be compelled to retrench some employees on its payroll.

But the PPP argued that government has no excuse if it fails to fulfill a major promise that won it, the 2016 elections.

“A lot of people are complaining. We have seen videos of the invisible forces calling on him to deliver on his promise of job creation. When the senior minister announced that they are not going to recruit people into the public service you heard the uproar that came with it.

“You promised that within a certain time frame you were going to deliver on your promises and that is what people are demanding from you. And for us in the PPP we are also interested in seeing the outcome of the promises they made. They must sit up,” Paa Kow Ackon added.

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By: Godwin Akweiteh Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @AlloteyGodwin

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