Ghana’s government is shifting its focus towards job security for young people, with plans to expand public sector recruitment while encouraging private sector-led employment, Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson has said.
Speaking in an interview, Dr Forson said government would continue to complement private sector efforts by absorbing thousands of workers into key state institutions. He confirmed that 10,000 new recruits are being taken on this year across the security services, including the Ghana Armed Forces, Police Service, Fire Service and Immigration Service.
He also disclosed that financial clearance has recently been granted for about 27,000 workers within the education and health sectors, covering teachers, nurses, medical doctors and pharmacists. According to him, these recruitments are already underway as part of government’s broader employment strategy.
Dr Forson, however, stressed that the public sector alone cannot solve Ghana’s unemployment challenge. He noted that globally, private businesses employ at least 80 per cent of the workforce, adding that Ghana must follow the same path.
“The private sector must be encouraged to lead job creation,” he said, describing it as more sustainable and better positioned to secure long-term employment opportunities for young people.
He said government policies would therefore prioritise creating a favourable environment for private enterprises to expand and hire more workers.