Where are the 2.1 million jobs? – Mahama asks NPP, promises 24-hour economy to curb unemployment

The flagbearer of the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has refuted the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) assertion of creating 2.1 million jobs between 2017 and 2022.

Mr. Mahama has labelled the claim as misleading.

During a tour of the Ahafo Region, the NDC flagbearer accused the NPP of using inflated job figures as a tactic to secure votes, while unemployment has continued to rise under their administration.

“The unemployment rate during the NDC’s government was 8 per cent. However, the current unemployment rate under the NPP government is 14 per cent, which is almost 15 per cent. But this government claims they have created over 2 million jobs,” Mr. Mahama said, questioning the credibility of the NPP’s job creation statistics.

He further cast doubt on the impact of the alleged jobs, pointing out that many residents of the Ahafo Region have not seen any tangible benefits.

“I’m asking, where are the jobs? How come the people here have not benefitted from it? This is a tactic to win votes,” Mr. Mahama remarked.

In response to the escalating unemployment crisis, Mr. Mahama unveiled the NDC’s proposal for a 24-hour economy, designed to generate more employment opportunities and address the growing job deficit.

He highlighted the need for a new economic approach, vowing that an NDC government would prioritize creating sustainable jobs, particularly for the youth.

“We cannot be deceived any more. We’ll create jobs for the youth to be employed,” the NDC flagbearer Mahama assured.