“We require practical strategies to tackle the issue of unemployment in Ghana,” – Dr. Twumasi Baffour

Dr. Priscilla Twumasi Baffour, a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Economics at the University of Ghana, has advocated for a solution-oriented approach to tackle the unemployment challenges prevalent in the country. Emphasizing the significance of addressing issues within the production sector, she asserted that resolving these challenges is pivotal for economic restoration and unemployment reduction.

Regarding the proposed 24-hour economy by John Mahama, Dr. Twumasi Baffour expressed reservations, stating that additional measures need to be implemented. She questioned the effectiveness of the intervention in alleviating challenges faced by small and medium-sized enterprises and its impact on the supply side, particularly in terms of education, training, and skills development for individuals entering the labor market.

Dr. Twumasi Baffour highlighted the transformative impact of technology on production organization, emphasizing the need for intentional policy interventions to eliminate production barriers and equip the workforce with essential skills. These skills include digital proficiency, soft skills, and other relevant competencies demanded by the evolving labor market.

Providing background context, she referred to data from the Ghana Statistical Service, revealing an average unemployment rate of 14.7% in the first three quarters of 2023, with consistently higher rates among females compared to males. This marked a 1.1% increase from the 2022 figure. The Annual Household Income and Expenditure Survey for the third quarter indicated a notable rise in female unemployment, contributing to a widening gender gap in unemployment.

The report also highlighted a successive widening of the urban-rural unemployment disparity throughout the first three quarters of 2023. Interestingly, during the second and third quarters, urban unemployment rates were nearly twice as high as those in rural areas. Regional variations were observed, with only four regions (Eastern, Bono East, Oti, and Upper West) recording unemployment rates lower than the national average across all quarters.