KEY POINTS
- The Minority labeled the government’s job creation promises as “sakawa jobs.”
- They questioned the feasibility of the $10 billion “Big Push” initiative.
- The Minority warned that mixed messages could deter potential investors.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) government’s 2025 budget has drawn harsh criticism from the minority in parliament, especially for its pledges to create jobs, which they have referred to as “sakawa jobs”—a phrase that implies the positions are either false or impossible.
Minority dismisses government’s job promises as ‘sakawa jobs’
Following the budget’s presentation by Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson on Tuesday, March 11, the Minority addressed the media and voiced their displeasure with a number of the proposal’s features, mainly the government’s claims of job creation.
They also expressed disapproval of what they saw as Dr. Forson’s inconsistent remarks. The finance minister acknowledged Ghana’s faltering economy while urging investors to give the country some thought. Such conflicting messages, according to the Minority, can deter prospective investors.
Doubts over feasibility of government’s $10 billion ‘Big Push’
According to joynews, the government’s ambitious $10 billion “Big Push” plan was another major source of dispute. Only $800 million has been set out in the budget for the project, despite repeated allusions to the $10 billion goal. The initiative’s viability was questioned by the minority.
They questioned, “How can they say they’ve spent $10 billion when only $800 million has been allotted?”
They added that the administration would still not reach the $10 billion target by the end of its term even if it spent $1 billion a year.
The Minority underlined how impractical the employment promises promised to Ghanaians are.
They claimed that the employment they were offering Ghanaians were Sakawa jobs.
Additionally, they charged that the government had not fulfilled its promises, especially with regard to the “Big Push.”
“As far as the Big Push is concerned, they are already failing in their promise,” they claimed.
