FALSE! Over 1m Ghanaians didn't find employment between 2025 Q1 and Q3

Claim: Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama says over one million Ghanaians found employment between quarters 1 and 2 of 2025, a data he attributes to the Ghana Statistical Service.

Verdict: False. DUBAWA’s research found that, contrary to the Ghanaian President’s allegation, over 1 million people did not find employment. The Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) reported that employment increased by over 330,000 persons, with female employment exceeding male employment. The GSS, however, noted that over 15 million Ghanaians participated in the labour force in Q3 of 2025.

Full Text

Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama has recounted his government’s efforts to create jobs and reduce the country’s unemployment rate.

Addressing Ghanaians in his second State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Feb. 27, 2026, he said, though barely two years into his four-year mandate, his government has created significant jobs across the country.

“According to the Ghana Statistical Service, over one million Ghanaians found employment between Quarter 1 and Quarter 3 of 2025, and 950,000 people escaped multidimensional poverty in the same period,” Mahama said, drawing applause from the legislators in Ghana’s Parliament.

See minutes 24:14 to 24:36 of the video posted on YouTube by Accra-based ChannelOne TV for the President’s comment.

Mahama’s speech was broadcast on major media channels and social media platforms. Social media data reveals that over 500,000 people watched it.

The President’s claim has sparked controversy online.

Reacting to it, an X user, @Gen_Buhari_, reacted, “John Mahama exposed. The Government Statistician is saying 330,000 new employment from Q1-Q3, and the President is saying 1 million.”

DUBAWA decided to probe the claim due to the reactions it has triggered on social media in the country.

Verification

DUBAWA’s investigation revealed that, contrary to the Ghanaian President’s allegation, over 1 million people did not find employment.

The Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) reported that employment increased by over 330,000 persons, with female employment exceeding male employment.

The GSS Quarterly Labour Force Survey report published in Dec. 2025 noted that over 15 million Ghanaians participated in the labour force in Q3 of 2025.

See paragraph 4 of page iv of the report.

“In the third quarter of 2025, more than 15 million people participated in the labour force, with about 87 per cent employed. Between Quarter 1 and Quarter 3 of 2025, employment increased by over 330,000 persons, and female employment consistently exceeded male employment,” the report disclosed.

The Quarterly Labour Force Survey provides data on Ghana’s labour market, drawing on household data from all 16 regions and offering clear evidence to inform public dialogue, policy decisions, and labour market reforms.

Conclusion

Contrary to the Ghanaian President’s allegation, over 330,000 people found employment between Q1 and Q3 of 2025.