In a bold declaration to address Ghana’s unemployment crisis, Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment, Dr Abdul-Rashid Hassan Pelpuo, has announced that the government aims to create two million jobs over the next four years.
Speaking on JoyNews’ AM Show, Dr Pelpuo described the ambitious employment plan as essential for revitalising the economy and empowering Ghana’s growing youth population.
“We intend to create two million jobs over the next four years in government. It is our commitment. You aim high, and whatever happens, we expect to create more jobs,” he affirmed.
Dr Pelpuo stressed that the goal goes beyond numbers; it’s about energising the economy and restoring Ghana’s lost momentum.
“This effort is designed to tackle the key issues around unemployment, to engage our young people, and to make sure our economy is not just crawling or walking, but running,” he explained.
He also lamented the country’s economic decline, citing its fall in GDP rankings across Africa. Once among the top eight economies on the continent, Ghana has now slipped to tenth place, overtaken by countries like Côte d’Ivoire.
“We are struggling to maintain even the tenth position. Over the last eight or nine years, Ghana’s growth has not been outstanding. We have fallen far behind, and we need to pick up the pace and reclaim our position as one of the best-developed countries in Africa,” he added.
Dr Pelpuo linked job creation directly to economic recovery, emphasising that growth depends on engaging the workforce and expanding economic opportunities.
“You cannot get that done if you don’t get people engaged and working. And working means expanding the economy. When you create opportunities for the economy to grow, you unlock the potential for a good, sustainable growth pattern,” he concluded.
