New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) National Youth Organiser, Abanga Fuseini Yakubu has questioned the government’s handling of youth unemployment and economic challenges, accusing President John Mahama of failing to act over alleged expenditure of more than Ghc16.4 million by the Foreign Affairs Minister.
Yakubu said the government had promised to create jobs through its 24-hour economy policy but had yet to provide clear information about where the initiative was operating.
Speaking on JoyNews, he questioned the accessibility of the policy’s secretariat at the Presidency, arguing that ordinary young people could not easily approach Jubilee House to seek opportunities.
“Look at this 24-hour economy. This government promised to deliver jobs for these people, for the youth, where people will be working in the afternoon, midnight and dawn. Where is the office located?” he asked.
“There is a secretariat at the Presidency. I don’t know how many people can go to the Presidency. How many people can enter the Jubilee House? Let’s be honest with ourselves.”
He also cited rising living costs and concerns over unpaid allowances, saying young people were struggling to find jobs while teachers and lecturers were facing delays in payments and threatening industrial action.
Yakubu questioned the government’s handling of the cost of basic goods, recalling that the price of koko had fallen from GH¢3.10 to GH¢2.60, despite what he said was a campaign promise to reduce it to GH¢6.
He further mentioned increases in fees, delays in research and teachers’ allowances, unpaid nursing training allowances and disruptions to school reopening schedules.
Against this backdrop, he questioned why the President had not acted on the Foreign Affairs Minister’s alleged expenditure.
“And you sit aloof as President. You watch your sector minister spend close to 16.4 million and above. He’s unable to explain for that. He’s not able to account for it,” Yakubu said.
He added that the allegations were based on documents the minister had presented to the Minority in Parliament.
