The minority in Parliament has accused the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) of failing to deliver on its promises, particularly with regard to public sector reforms and job creation.
Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin described the reported unemployment figures as alarming.
He made the remarks at a joint press conference held on Monday, 3 February, ahead of the resumption of parliamentary sittings.
Mr Afenyo-Markin lamented that all the government programmes which the NDC claimed would create jobs are largely on paper without meaningful impact.
“The report is that we have some 34 per cent youth unemployment rate, and this is very unacceptable. The question is, where are the jobs given all the promises?” he asked.
“While the NDC was quick to roll out programmes on paper—we hear Adwuma Wura, National Apprenticeship Programme, Nkoko nkitinkiti. Well, they are paper promises, but in reality, what are the tangible outcomes? Even if any existed, they are scanty, and this is their year two; the honeymoon is over,” he said.
Meanwhile, he has slammed the government over the cancellation of the One District, One Factory (1D1F) initiative, describing the absence of a replacement policy for the private sector as worrying.
“They have cancelled the 1D1F; in its place, there is no alternative policy programme for the private sector. I have not heard the Minister of Trade and Industry announce a major private sector initiative to create economic growth—zero—yet they have cancelled the 1D1F,” he stated.
He added, “They promised public sector reforms, but so far, the minister responsible for public sector reform cannot be found. We have not seen any major announcement, even in the budget, as if that ministry is non-existent. So in terms of public sector reforms, we are yet to see any serious intervention,” he added.
He has therefore asked the government to move beyond what he described as “paper programmes” and deliver tangible results, stressing that urgent action is needed to address the growing concerns of unemployed young Ghanaians.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
