One million jobs coming in 3 years – President Akufo-Addo

President Nana Akufo-Addo has promised one million jobs for Ghanaians before exiting office in 2024.

The jobs are expected to be created under the Ghana COVID-19 Alleviation and Revitalization of Enterprises Support (Ghana CARES) programme.

The President indicated that the government is determined to pursue the agenda for job creation to ensure that more opportunities are given to “our youth to nurture their talents for the development of our country.”

He said this in his Eid ul-Adha address in Accra on Tuesday, 20 July 2021.

“As has been well-publicized, a few days ago, the Ministry of Finance granted financial clearance to the Ministry of Education and the security services for the recruitment of some 11,800 people to beef up their operations. It does not end there.

“We will, through interventions to be set out in the mid-year budget review, announce plans for the creation of some, one million more jobs under the Ghana CARES ‘Obaatanpa’ project over the course of the next three years,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, is expected to outline plans to create these jobs in the mid-year budget review for the 2021 Financial Year in Parliament tomorrow, Thursday, July 22, 2021.

The GH₵100 billion Ghana CARES programme                                           

The GH₵100 billion Ghana CARES is a comprehensive and audacious programme by the government aimed at revitalising and modernising the Ghanaian economy because of the ravages of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The three-and-half year programme would, among other things, support commercial farming and attract educated youth into commercial farming, build the country’s light manufacturing sector, and fast track digitalization.

It is also expected to develop the country’s housing and construction industry, review and optimize the government’s flagships programmes, create more jobs for young people, and expand opportunities for persons with disabilities.

Funds for implementing the Ghana CARES programme are expected to be greatly provided by the private sector, which the government is looking for 70% from, with 30% from the public sector.

President Akufo-Addo raises concern over COVID-19

In his speech, President Akufo-Addo also raised concern over the recent spike in the country’s COVID-19 cases, owing to laxity in conforming to safety protocols.

“The recent increase in the number of infections is a source of worry for me and indeed for all Ghanaians. From the rising numbers, it is safe to conclude that we have let our guard down and are beginning to live our lives and conduct our businesses as though we are in normal times,” he said.

“It is important to repeat that the virus is still with us, and until each one of us receives a dose of the vaccine, the protocols must continue to be a part and parcel of our daily activities,” he added.

The president encouraged the populace and said, “As we continue to count on the grace of God to protect our country from the ravages of the pandemic like He has since its outbreak, we can only minimise its health effects and avoid a full-blown third wave if we continue to be responsible and observe the safety and hygiene protocols.”

However, he assured that the Ministry of Health was working assiduously to ensure that while there is a global shortage of vaccines, the target to vaccinate 20 million Ghanaians was reached.

“Until that goal is achieved, I will continue to count on the support and cooperation of the Ghanaian people to ensure our collective security,” he said.

 

 

 

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Eid Ul-Adha message

Touching on the celebration of Eid, the president urged the Muslim community in Ghana to subdue all celebrations associated with the Islamic feast.

He also asked the Muslim community to use the period of devotion to remember the nation and pray for wisdom and guidance for the government to “steer the ship of state in a manner that allows us to navigate the stormy and turbulent economic and other challenges that confront our nation and the world.”

He spoke about the National Mosque where the occasion was observed and said the edifice was a testimony to the religious unity and harmony prevailing in the country.