BY Daniel Bampoe
In the aftermath of the 2026 Budget presentation, the Member of Parliament for Akuapem North, Sammi Awuku, has offered a pointed assessment of the government’s job creation strategy, urging a more balanced and forward-looking approach that prioritises long-term industrial growth over short-term employment boosts.
According to Sammi Awuku, the Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, Finance Minister’s call for inclusivity in the economic expansion is welcome but incomplete.
The Minister has argued that inclusivity does not necessarily require the creation of new sectors, suggesting instead that wider participation can be achieved by opening existing sectors—agriculture, services, and industry—to more Ghanaians.
Sammi Awuku acknowledges the merit of this argument but insists that real, sustainable job creation requires intentional investment and expansion within the agricultural and industrial sectors. Historically, these sectors have underpinned economic growth, yet they have suffered from inconsistent policy support, leaving manufacturing capacity weak and productivity growth uneven.
The MP highlighted one of the most notable claims from the budget statement: the projection that 800,000 jobs will be created in 2026, with 490,000 expected to come from the government’s “Big Push” road construction programme.
Sammi Awuku questioned the sustainability of such jobs, noting that the bulk of the opportunities generated in construction are typically temporary, especially at the labourer level.
Once the roads are completed, he argued, these positions will disappear unless the workers are absorbed into new projects or retrained for industrial work—something the current budget does not explicitly guarantee.
Sammi Awuku stressed that Ghana’s much-touted 24-hour economy, a flagship ambition of the government, cannot be meaningfully realised without a strong manufacturing foundation.
He warned that without revitalising the industrial sector through targeted incentives, investment attraction, and private sector expansion, the 24-hour initiative risks becoming a political slogan rather than a transformative national economic plan.
He further assured the public that the Minority in Parliament will, in the coming days, scrutinise the 2026 Budget in detail, asking critical questions to drive a constructive national conversation.
The MP urged Ghanaians to engage the debate with open minds and refrain from insults, emphasising the importance of robust, respectful dialogue as the country assesses its economic direction for the years ahead.
