Franklin Cudjoe, President of IMANI Africa, has urged the government to rethink its approach to job creation, emphasizing the need for economically impactful initiatives.
Assessing President John Dramani Mahama’s first 120 days in office during an appearance on Channel One TV’s ‘The Big Issue’ on Saturday, May 10, Cudjoe highlighted concerns over the long-term viability of flagship employment schemes like Adwumawura, One Million Coders, and the National Apprenticeship Programme.
Cudjoe argues that while job creation is a pressing need, it must be approached with a clear understanding of its broader economic implications. He noted that without careful planning and alignment with the country’s economic objectives, such programmes risk becoming high-cost ventures with limited returns.
“Creating jobs isn’t just about putting people to work – it’s about creating roles that meaningfully contribute to the economy,” Cudjoe stated. He cautioned against the temptation to launch large-scale initiatives without thorough economic analysis, suggesting that such moves could lead to substantial public spending with little measurable impact on productivity.
He further highlighted the importance of integrating job creation efforts into the broader economic value chain, ensuring that investments in employment generate long-term benefits.
“We need a strategic bridge between reducing unemployment and boosting productivity. Without that, we risk spending significant resources, like the reported GH₵200 million for these programmes, without clearly seeing how they strengthen our economy,” he added.
Cudjoe’s comments underscore a broader call for evidence-based economic planning as Ghana navigates the complex challenge of job creation amid evolving global economic pressures.
