As the country, Ghana, continues to grapple with the challenges of unemployment, thousands of graduates remain in limbo, waiting for the NDC government to deliver on its job promises. The NDC, in its 2024 manifesto, promised to create meaningful jobs for the teeming youth population, particularly graduates, but it appears that this promise is yet to materialize. However, there is hope in the John Mahama-led government, and a few months into his new administration, there is a need to start demanding action.
The unemployment situation in Ghana has reached alarming proportions, with many graduates struggling to find meaningful employment. The previous NPP government has been accused of failing to prioritize job creation, despite its rhetoric on the campaign trail. Many graduates are forced to take on menial jobs or engage in informal economic activities to make ends meet. This situation is not only frustrating for the graduates but also has broader implications for the country’s economic development, with the hope that the NDC government will fully implement meaningful job opportunities for these hopeless graduates.
One of the major challenges facing graduates is the lack of startup capital. Many graduates are not equipped with the skills and capital needed in the job market. As a result, graduates are often ill-prepared to take on the demands of the modern workplace. The NDC government has initiated some programs aimed at addressing unemployment, and the Youth Employment Agency (YEA) is doing its best. However, these programs have been criticized for being inadequate in terms of salaries. Many graduates who have participated in these programs have complained about the lack of job security and the meager allowances paid to them.
Most of these graduates, especially those from the University of Education, UCC, UDS, and others, believe the government can post the graduates to fill vacancies at various Senior High Schools across the country. Despite the challenges, the NDC government remains optimistic about its ability to create jobs for graduates. The government has promised to prioritize job creation and has initiated several programs aimed at promoting entrepreneurship and innovation. However, it remains to be seen whether these initiatives will yield the desired results.
The graduates, on the other hand, are growing increasingly frustrated, relying on parents and friends for survival. Many have lost hope in life. They argue that the government needs to do more to address the root causes of unemployment, such as the lack of job opportunities in key sectors of the economy, such as education, where teachers are sometimes forced to pay huge sums of money before getting employed.
The private sector has a critical role to play in addressing unemployment. Companies can provide job opportunities and training to graduates, helping them acquire the skills needed in the modern workplace. However, the government also needs to create an enabling environment that encourages private sector growth and investment.
As the country heads towards the next general elections, the issue of unemployment is likely to feature prominently in the campaigns of the various political parties. The NDC government will need to demonstrate its commitment to job creation and provide tangible evidence of its efforts to address unemployment.
In conclusion, the NDC government’s ability to deliver on its job promises to graduates will be crucial in determining its prospects in the 2028 general elections. While the government has initiated some programs aimed at addressing unemployment, much more needs to be done to create sustainable job opportunities for graduates. The government must prioritize job creation and work with the private sector to provide opportunities for graduates to acquire relevant skills and experience. The fate of thousands of graduates hangs in the balance, and it is imperative that the government takes concrete steps to address the unemployment crisis.
SIGNED: KINGSFORD BADU
GRADUATE: UEW , 2024 BATCH.
