Sammi Awuku, the Akuapem North MP, has called on the government to publish detailed figures on jobs created through its youth employment initiatives before the 2027 Budget is presented to Parliament.
In a letter dated Tuesday, November 10, addressed to President John Dramani Mahama and Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, Awuku asked: “Adwuma no wɔ he?” a Twi phrase meaning “Where is the work?” or “Where are the jobs?”
Dr Forson is due to deliver the 2027 Budget Statement and Economic Policy on Thursday, November 12.
Awuku referred to Ghana Statistical Service data showing unemployment of about 32.4 per cent among people aged 15–24. He also said nearly two million Ghanaians between 15 and 35 were not in employment, education or training.
“Behind these figures are young people desperate for opportunities, decent jobs and the ability to become financially independent,” he wrote.
The MP asked the government to state how many jobs had been created since it took office through its flagship 24-Hour Economy policy and its “1-3-3” formula, which represents one job, three shifts and three people.
“How many jobs has the 24-Hour Economy created?” Awuku asked.
He also requested figures for the One Million Coders Programme, including the number of trainees who had completed the digital skills course and how many had subsequently secured employment or begun earning an income.
Awuku further sought information about the No Fees Stress initiative. He asked how many first-year students had received support in time to accept their admission without first paying academic fees.
The Akuapem North MP said higher residential water and electricity tariffs, together with the cost of transport, food, learning materials and university hostel accommodation, continued to put pressure on households.
He argued that improvements in wider economic indicators had not yet translated into meaningful relief for many families.
“Lower inflation figures mean little to a young graduate who cannot find a job or a student struggling to afford an education,” Awuku stated.
With the Mahama administration approaching two years in office, Awuku said young voters wanted measurable results and clear deadlines rather than further assurances.
“The young people of this country voted for change. They are not asking for favours.
“They are asking for opportunities and your government must deliver,” the letter concluded, with the appeal: “Please do something.”
As Awuku pressed for employment data, New Patriotic Party (NPP) supporters on X promoted the hashtags #PaperEconomy and #PocketDry, which trended in Ghana on Tuesday alongside #TheNewEconomy.
The posts contrasted economic indicators with the reported sales difficulties of market women, following comments made by Dr Forson at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) on Monday. The finance minister had described claims that traders could not sell their goods as propaganda.
Neither the Presidency nor the Ministry of Finance had formally responded to Awuku’s open letter by Tuesday afternoon.
