NDC job promises not automatic gov’t appointments – Asiedu Nketiah

National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, has clarified that the party’s job-creation pledges do not amount to automatic government appointments for all young people. He explained that the NDC’s campaign commitment is centered on skills training, entrepreneurship support and creating an enabling environment for self-employment.

Addressing supporters in the Nandom Constituency on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, he said youth unemployment remains Ghana’s biggest developmental challenge. However, he cautioned against what he described as a widespread misinterpretation of the party’s message.

“It is true that when we were campaigning, the biggest problem in the country then and still is youth unemployment. So we promised that when we come into power, we will implement initiatives that will address the unemployment issue,” he said.

He noted that some supporters had wrongly assumed those promises meant guaranteed public sector jobs.

“Some of you have interpreted that to mean everybody will be given an appointment letter to work in government service. Please, that is not what we mean,” he stressed.

According to him, sustainable job creation requires equipping young people with skills and capital to build their own enterprises rather than relying solely on government employment.

“What we mean is that when a country is growing, it gets to a point where other means of employment become more rewarding than government work,” he explained.

“So what the government does is to train the youth in their respective talents and provide them with facilities and seed capital to start businesses that will grow the economy.”

He emphasised that it is unrealistic for government to absorb all unemployed youth into the civil service.

“But we seem to think that if you are not given a government appointment letter, then you don’t have employment. Please, it is not going to be possible for government to write appointment letters for every youth in the country,” he said.

Mr. Asiedu Nketiah pointed to upcoming interventions, including apprenticeship and entrepreneurship initiatives.

“That was why when we were campaigning, we told you that you don’t need a certificate to be able to work. And so we will implement policies like the free apprenticeship program, the entrepreneurship program, the youth in enterprise program, and the 1 million quotas program,” he added.