2026 Mid-year budget: Millions still jobless despite job promises – Suame MP

The Member of Parliament for Suame, John Darko, has criticised the government over what he describes as its failure to fulfil one of its key campaign promises of creating jobs for Ghanaians, arguing that the employment situation has worsened since the current administration assumed office.

According to the lawmaker, despite repeated assurances from the government that it would implement policies aimed at expanding employment opportunities, many Ghanaians continue to struggle to secure jobs, while others have reportedly lost their livelihoods as a result of government decisions.

Mr. Darko made the remarks while speaking to journalists in Parliament ahead of the presentation of the 2026 Mid-Year Budget Review by the Minister for Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, on Thursday, July 23.

The Suame MP said the budget review presents an opportunity for the government to account to the people of Ghana on the progress made in delivering on its economic promises, particularly those relating to employment and job creation.

He argued that job creation was one of the administration’s flagship commitments and should therefore be a central focus of the government’s economic performance assessment.

“The jury is out there and Ghanaians will be the best judges. The foremost promise this government gave to the people of Ghana was the creation of jobs but as it stands, there is nothing to the effect that the so-called 1:3:3 is taking place.

“We have millions of people who are still out of jobs and since this government came, a lot of people have been laid off by government policies.”

The opposition legislator further contended that some policy decisions introduced by the government have had unintended consequences for businesses and workers, leading to job losses rather than employment growth.

According to him, the government must provide clear evidence of the impact of its employment programmes and explain how it intends to address the growing concerns over unemployment, especially among the youth.