Nearly 23,000 jobs lost in two months - Ablakwa alleges

The current government’s pledge to scrutinise all last minute appointments by the erstwhile Mahama-led NDC administration has resulted in massive unemployment and job loss, according to the Minority in Parliament.

Minority member and Member of Parliament (MP) for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa alleged that nearly 23,000 people have lost their jobs or the opportunity to gain employment as a result of the embargo placed on employment by the transition team of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

These revelations were brought to the fore during a parliamentary debate on the President’s maiden State of the Nation Address which was presented in parliament on February 21, 2017.

In his address, President Akufo-Addo bemoaned the high rate of unemployment and bad state of the economy left behind by the Mahama administration.

He pledged his commitment to solving the problems his government inherited and improve the general well-being of the Ghanaian.

But Okudzeto Ablakwa on the floor of parliament has asserted that, the President should demonstrate his commitment by removing the ban imposed and reversing the actions of the transition team.

He said the phenomenon where people were relieved of their duties and others prevented from reporting to work amounts to job substitution and not job creation.

“Mr Speaker, the point I was making was that 22,802 Ghanaians could have been employed. Two months down the line this suspension order that came from the transition team is still enforced and these 22,802 people are still at home and yet the President comes here and laments, and bemoans and appears to be sympathising with the youth of our country who are unemployed,” he noted.