Alexander Afenyo-Markin demands government account for job creation

Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has formally challenged the government to provide concrete evidence of its job creation claims, citing a troubling youth unemployment rate of 32.4%. Speaking at a media briefing in Parliament, the Minority Leader insisted that the administration must move beyond rhetoric and demonstrate how its current policies are translating into tangible employment opportunities for the nation’s youth. He emphasized that young Ghanaians continue to struggle with joblessness, necessitating a transparent accounting of the government's progress and the identification of specific institutions responsible for delivering employment commitments. Afenyo-Markin specifically questioned the discontinuation of the One District, One Factory (1D1F) program, an initiative previously central to local industrial development. He argued that the current administration has failed to provide sufficient incentives for the private sector, which he identified as the primary engine for sustainable job growth. By neglecting these sectors and halting established industrial programs, the Minority Leader contended, the government is undermining the economic prospects of the younger generation and failing to meet its delivery promises. The Minority Leader also used the briefing to demand a rigorous parliamentary investigation into financial discrepancies involving the Ghana Gold Board and the Bank of Ghana. He raised alarms regarding reported losses on gold transactions and issues surrounding the board's surplus, calling for a motion of inquiry to be prioritized when Parliament resumes. Afenyo-Markin expressed optimism that the inquiry would provide the necessary clarity on these transactions, identify responsible parties, and ensure accountability for the management of the nation’s gold resources.