Deputy Majority Leader clarifies ‘Free SHS has brought about high unemployment’ statement

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Asokwa and Deputy Majority Leader, Patricia Appiagyei, has clarified a statement she made on the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) programme being a cause of the rising unemployment rate in Ghana.

The Deputy Majority Leader, in an interview on Oyerepa TV on Monday, August 12, 2024, stated that the implementation of the programme has led to the country producing more graduates who are not taking advantage of the many opportunities the government creates for them.

She pointed out that the government is implementing many interventions to give the youth skills they can make a livelihood out of, but these youth are only interested in white-collar jobs.

“It is true that unemployment is increasing. It is arising out of Free Senior High School. Because now, we are educating more people and most of them are done with school but have no jobs.

“But there are other interventions (which can help them), but they don’t want it. That is what I’m talking about. If we are able to educate people on entrepreneurship [and] how people can start their own jobs, we would not be having these issues,” she said in Twi.

In a statement issued by her office, on Tuesday, August 13, 2024, the Asokwa legislator indicated that her remarks have been misconstrued.

The office explained that the MP was only trying to make the point that the government has implemented a number of interventions to provide opportunities for youth who are now graduates because of the Free SHS programme, but who are not taking advantage of them.

“Hon. Appiagyei noted that the government has implemented social intervention policies like Free Senior High School (SHS), educating many students. However, most graduates seek white-collar jobs, which few secure. To address this, the government introduced apprenticeship programs, Youth Employment Agency's modules, Business Support Schemes, and Technical, Vocational Education and Training. She encouraged graduates to utilize these programs and explore entrepreneurial skills.

“Surprisingly, Oyerepa Radio/TV's online portal reported, 'Free SHS has brought about high unemployment rate,' attributing this to Hon. Appiagyei. However, she explained that in as much as the Free SHS has gotten more graduates seeking employment, these graduates should consider taking advantage of skills training and not be fixated on getting top administrative jobs,” part of the statement read.

It added, “The Office of the MP for Asokwa and Deputy Majority Leader urges correction of this erroneous impression. Hon. Appiagyei emphasized that the youth should consider skills training and entrepreneurship, rather than solely pursuing white-collar jobs. She suggested that a curriculum emphasizing entrepreneurship could mitigate this challenge.”

Read the full statement below:

BAI/AE

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