The Effutu MP and Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has slammed the John Dramani Mahama administration for ditching key policies launched under the Akufo-Addo government, claiming the move has worsened Ghana’s unemployment crisis.
Speaking at the Asante Students Union’s grand durbar, homecoming, and handing-over ceremony at the University of Ghana on Sunday, August 17, 2025, Mr. Afenyo-Markin said axing flagship programmess like the One District One Factory (1D1F) initiative and related tax breaks has deterred investment and stifled job creation.
“Over a quarter of Ghanaians wake up without a meaningful job. Official stats put unemployment at nearly 15%. When youth can’t find jobs, it’s not just an economic issue – it’s a national security threat in a region plagued by armed conflict,” he stated.
He added that killing off 1D1F and suspending tax waivers for industries has “killed” chances for sustainable jobs.
“When government fails to create the right economic climate for jobs, youth must innovate to create their own. Leaders must build opportunities – or the next gen will build from scratch. We must solve the unemployment crisis before it solves us – and we won’t like how,” he emphasised.
Mr. Afenyo-Markin also flagged concerns over unpaid loans, notably GH¢291 million in MASLOC loans to small businesses still unpaid after 12 years (as of last February). “In banking, GH¢654 million went bad in five months this year. In mobile money, people borrow and vanish into digital darkness. This culture’s a cancer eating our economic soul,” he warned.
The Minority Leader called on government to craft a more business-friendly environment to fuel innovation, investment, and sustainable job creation.
Story By: Dennis Ato Keelson
