New Economy offers no immediate jobs for Ghanaians – Amin Adam

The Minority has criticized the government's New Economy programme, claiming its employment promises are largely long-term and insufficient to address the immediate unemployment crisis in Ghana. Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam, the Ranking Member of Parliament's Finance Committee, lamented that the programme has yet to offer clear job opportunities for 2027 and 2028, with key projects expected to yield results only by 2030.

Addressing the 2027 Budget on November 13, Dr. Adam emphasized that the New Economy would not generate jobs in 2027 or 2028, but rather in 2030, a stark contrast to the immediate job-seeking needs of young Ghanaians. He pointed out the timelines of major projects under the programme, such as the Pwalugu Dam, thermal power expansion, oil palm cultivation, and garment factories, to substantiate his claim that employment gains would be delayed.

The first phase of the Pwalugu project is slated for early 2029, while the thermal plant expansion will unfold in phases from 2028 to 2030. The Minority argued that the government needs to present more immediate and tangible employment interventions rather than relying on projects with benefits projected several years hence.