Ghana’s Unemployment Rate Drops to 13.6% in 2024, But Youth and Quality Challenges Persist
Ghana’s unemployment rate eased to 13.6 percent by the end of 2024, marking a modest one-percentage point improvement from the 14.6 percent recorded in 2023. The figures, released in the latest Annual Household Income and Expenditure Survey (Fourth Quarter Labour Statistics 2024) by the Ghana Statistical Service, signal progress in the country’s labour market but also highlight ongoing issues beneath the surface. While the overall numbers point to positive momentum, the survey reveals that unemployment remains most acute among the youth. A striking 22.5 percent of Ghanaians aged 15 to 35 are currently unemployed, underscoring persistent pressures on first-time jobseekers and new graduates despite broader employment gains. The data for the fourth quarter of 2024 paints a complex picture: total employment rose year-on-year by 1.15 million to reach 12.73 million. However, the number of unemployed persons also climbed by roughly 200,000 compared to the same period in 2023. This suggests that while job opportunities are expanding, the rapid growth of the labour force continues to outpace the economy’s ability to absorb new entrants, leading to continued weaknesses in job quality. Gender dynamics have also shifted, with female employment consistently outpacing male employment through the end of 2024. The gap widened from about 632,000 in the first quarter of 2022 to approximately 1.12 million by the fourth quarter of 2024, highlighting strong gains for women in the workforce. Despite these advances, the report draws attention to persistent disparities in unemployment and underemployment by sex and locality, pointing to uneven job quality and differing access to stable, formal work. The Ghana Statistical Service further flags high levels of NEET (youth not in employment, education, or training) across age cohorts, identifying this as a major driver of youth exclusion and long-term underutilisation of the country’s labour potential. Overall, the data suggests that while Ghana is making headway in tackling unemployment, significant challenges remain, particularly for young people and in ensuring job quality and equitable access across society. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia Declares Himself Ghana’s Most Effective Vice President
Former Vice President and 2024 NPP Presidential Candidate, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has boldly proclaimed his tenure as the most effective in Ghana’s history, pointing to a legacy of reforms and groundbreaking policy initiatives. Addressing enthusiastic party supporters after filing his nomination for the NPP flagbearer slot, Dr Bawumia described his years in office as a period of transformation that reshaped Ghana’s economy and governance. “From digital reforms to stabilising the financial sector, introducing social interventions, and expanding access to education and health, my record speaks for itself. I have been the most effective Vice President in our nation’s history,” he asserted. Dr Bawumia highlighted signature achievements such as the implementation of the Ghana Card, mobile money interoperability, and the digitalisation of public services. He argued that these initiatives had a tangible impact, making daily life easier and more efficient for millions of Ghanaians. “These policies are not abstract ideas; they have touched the lives of millions of Ghanaians. That is the effectiveness I bring,” Dr Bawumia said, emphasizing the real-world benefits of his approach. He called on party delegates to rally behind his vision for the country’s future, stressing the need for proven leadership as Ghana heads towards new challenges. “This is about track record and capacity. I have shown competence, innovation and results. That is why I believe I am best placed to lead the NPP and Ghana into the future,” he concluded, setting the stage for a campaign centered on experience and impactful change. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
MTN Ghana Raises Alarm Over Fibre Cuts in Ashanti Region
MTN Ghana has voiced serious concern about the growing impact of galamsey (illegal mining), road construction, and other disruptive activities on its operations in the Ashanti region. Between January and August 2025, the telecommunications giant reported approximately 585 kilometres of underground fibre cuts in the region—a staggering figure that has directly affected the company’s ability to provide uninterrupted service. At an Editors Forum in Kumasi, Operations Manager Dickson Amoung-Yam revealed that 63 kilometres of these cable cuts had a particularly adverse effect on customer experience. As a result, 1,075 customers were impacted, with communication and related services hindered across the affected areas. To manage the fallout, MTN Ghana has spent GHS18 million on maintenance and repairs, a financial burden that underscores the seriousness of the issue. Mr Amoung-Yam described the situation as “a major concern for business,” emphasizing the strain placed on company resources and the challenge of maintaining service standards. He appealed to the public to exercise caution when encountering MTN’s fibre infrastructure, urging greater awareness and responsibility to help protect the network and ensure reliable service for all. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia Accuses NDC of Failing to Honour 2024 Election Promises
Former Vice President and 2024 NPP flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has aimed at the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), accusing the party of failing to deliver on the ambitious promises it made to Ghanaians during the 2024 elections. The NPP leader made these remarks while addressing party supporters after formally filing his nomination to contest the party’s flagbearer race. Dr Bawumia charged that the NDC had used “lofty promises” to secure victory, only for Ghanaians to realize that many of those commitments were not intended to be fulfilled. “We lost the 2024 elections after introducing many good programmes. Unfortunately, due mostly to the economic pain that many of our citizens felt, the NDC managed to convince them with lofty promises to stay away or vote against us. We have learnt lessons, and I assure you that these lessons will be put to good use when we return to office,” he told the crowd. Dr Bawumia highlighted several of the NDC’s campaign pledges that he claimed were already unraveling. These included the promise to pay cocoa farmers at least GH₵6,000, repeal LI 2462 to address illegal mining, and triple jobs under the much-publicized 24-hour economy. He also pointed to the challenges facing the GoldBod initiative, a drop in remittances due to forex misalignments, and what he described as a shrinking space for free expression. “It is evident these were just political gimmicks,” he emphasized. Looking ahead, Dr Bawumia underscored the New Patriotic Party’s responsibility to regroup for the 2028 elections and, crucially, to hold the NDC government accountable for its broken promises. “What the NPP and Ghana need is a strong party that can hold the government accountable. I have always done that, and I will continue to do so as flagbearer,” he assured party faithful, vowing to keep up the pressure on the government and restore the NPP’s fortunes at the next polls. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
The Institute for Liberty and Policy Innovation Welcomes Desmond Israel Esq. as Senior Policy Research Fellow
The Institute for Liberty and Policy Innovation (ILAPI) has ushered in a new era of thought leadership with the appointment of Desmond Israel Esq. as its Senior Policy Research Fellow. This strategic move underscores ILAPI’s growing influence in the fields of business regulation, cyberlaw, and digital governance, all in pursuit of a freer and more innovative society. Desmond Israel is no stranger to the intersection of law and technology. With over 20 years of experience as a legal tech strategist and cybersecurity expert, Israel brings a wealth of interdisciplinary expertise to ILAPI’s mission of fostering a prosperous and innovation-driven Africa. At ILAPI, he will spearhead the institute’s Business Regulatory and Cyberlaw Initiatives, setting the stage for transformative policy work. In his new role, Israel will: Lead policy research and analysis, offering critical insights on governance and institutional reform. Provide strategic advisory on AI governance, digital risk management, and frameworks that advance liberty. Oversee the implementation of ILAPI’s flagship projects, ensuring their impact across Africa. Mentor junior fellows and interns, nurturing the next generation of research and policy leaders. Israel’s appointment reflects ILAPI’s deep commitment to ethical innovation and digital sovereignty. Beyond his new role, Israel serves as Partner in the Cyberlaw & Technology Practice at AGNOS Legal Company, Founder & Lead Consultant at Information Security Architects Ltd (a Rapid7 Gold Partner), and Non-Executive Director (Cyber & Privacy Advisory) at Zerone AnalytiQs in British Columbia, Canada. His expertise covers data protection compliance, AI regulatory alignment, and enterprise IT governance. A recipient of the GW Law Merit Scholarship, Israel holds an LL.M. in National Security and Cybersecurity from The George Washington University Law School and is certified in CISSP, CIPM, CCT, and CC. Israel is a renowned keynote speaker at global conferences, known for bridging legal, technological, and human rights perspectives. He teaches Technology Law at GIMPA Law School and consults with the National Banking College to design board-level programs on cyber risk and AI strategy for financial institutions throughout Africa. His policy collaborations span notable organizations such as the Center for AI and Digital Policy in Washington, D.C., and the Internet Security Alliance in Virginia. ILAPI hails Israel’s appointment as a “significant step toward advancing freedom, ethical innovation, robust governance, and digital sovereignty in Africa and beyond.” Source: Apexnewsgh.com