The Deputy Minister of Employment and Labour Relations, Bright Wereko-Brobby, has expressed his belief that the unemployment rate in Ghana is not as severe as it appears. According to the Ghana Statistical Service, 1.76 million individuals were unemployed in the third quarter of 2022. Furthermore, the report showed that two-thirds of those employed were in vulnerable jobs. The Deputy Minister urged Ghanaians not to dwell on the negative figures and reminded them that out of the 30 million people in the country, 11 million are gainfully employed. He assured the public that the government is working to address the issue of unemployment by implementing interventions in various sectors.
The Deputy Minister acknowledged that many Ghanaians do not view their activities in the informal sector as jobs, which contributes to the high rate of unemployment. He cited examples of job creation in the cooperative, agriculture, and youth employment sectors and assured the public that there is still hope. He called on Ghanaians to support the government’s efforts to address the issue of unemployment and to recognize the opportunities available in the informal sector.
Overall, the Deputy Minister’s comments suggest that while the unemployment rate is a cause for concern, there are reasons to remain optimistic. The government’s interventions in various sectors are encouraging and provide hope for job creation in the future. The public’s perception of the informal sector as a viable source of employment is also an issue that needs to be addressed. By recognizing the potential of the informal sector and supporting the government’s efforts to create jobs, Ghanaians can work towards reducing the unemployment rate in the country.
