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Is the freeze on employment not worsening the precarious graduate unemployment situation in Ghana?

The Finance Minister, Ken Ofori- Atta, on Thursday, November 24, 2022, presented the 2023 Budget and Economic Policy of the Government to Parliament, indicating far-reaching measures towards expenditure rationalisation to salvage the current economic downturn in the country that has resulted in severe hardships among the populace. Among these measures, is the announcement of a freeze on employment for civil and public servants, effective January, 2023.

FREEZE ON EMPLOYMENT

The Minister announced also that the purchase of new vehicles shall be restricted to locally assembled vehicles while the allocation of fuel coupons to political appointees and Heads of Minis­tries, Department and Agencies (MDAs), Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) and State-Owned Enterprises

(SOES), HAD BEEN REDUCED BY 50 PER CENT.

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These were the words from the Minister; “Mr. Speaker, as a first step towards expenditure rationalisation, the Government has approved the following directives which take effect from January 2023. All MDAs MMDAs and SOEs, are directed to reduce fuel allocations to Political Appointees and Heads of MDAs, MMDAs and SOEs by 50 per cent. This directive applies to all methods of fuel allocation, including coupons, electronic cards, chit sys­tem and fuel depots. Accordingly, 50 per cent of the previous year’s (2022) budget allocation for fuel, shall be ear­marked for official business pertaining to MDAs, MMDAs and SOEs;

EXPENDITURE RATIONALISATION

“A ban on the use of V8s/V6s or its equivalent, except for cross-country travel. All government vehicles would be registered with GV green plates from January 2023; Limited budgetary allocation for the purchase of vehicles. For the avoidance of doubt, the pur­chase of new vehicles shall be restrict­ed to locally assembled vehicles; Only essential foreign travel across govern­ment, including SOEs shall be allowed for board members. Accordingly, all government institutions should sub­mit a travel plan for the year 2023 by mid-December of all expected travels to the Chief of Staff.

“As far as possible, meetings and workshops should be done within the official environment or government facilities; Government sponsored ex­ternal training and Staff Development activities at the Office of the President, Ministries and SOEs, must be put on hold for 2023 financial year. Reduc­tion of expenditure on appointments including salary freezes together with suspension of certain allowances like housing, utilities and clothing, etc. A freeze on new tax waivers for foreign companies and review of tax exemptions for free zone, mining, oil and gas compa­nies. A hiring freeze for civil and public servants. No new government agencies shall be established in 2023. There shall be no hampers for 2022”.

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IMF CONDITIONS

FOR BAILOUT

Indeed, some of these measures, are already in place, however, for the gov­ernment to muster the necessary cour­age to ensure that they are enforced to the letter, has been the major problem. It is the hope of many Ghanaians that this time round, the government will put the necessary mechanism in place to ensure an effective monitoring of the process and the implementation of the additional policies and programmes. Already, many are of the firm belief that these are some of the conditions attached to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) offer, to bail the country out of the current economic mess.

AGENDA 111 HOSPITAL PROJECT TO SUFFER

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While the majority of Ghanaians do sympathise with the government for the situation it finds itself in now and, there­fore, has to succumb to some of these pressures from the IMF for the needed financial bailout, many are also of the view that the freeze on employment within the civil and public services, is a serious development which the govern­ment has to take a second look at the policy, since it will not serve the best interest of this nation whatsoever. When this policy is allowed to be implemented as it stands next year, certain critical and vital areas such as the health and education sectors of the economy, will suffer unduly. Already our health facil­ities across the country are challenged with shortage of professionals such as doctors, dentists, nurses, cardiologists, laboratory technicians, radiographers and X’ray technicians among others, while our universities, colleges, poly­technics, Junior and Senior High Schools lacked the required manpower to man­age that sectors. The government flag­ship Agenda 111 Hospital project is likely to face a major setback as a result of the freeze on employment. The new district hospitals, currently under construction will face manpower problem. Placing a total ban on employment for the next two years, will deal a major blow to our dear country.

PRECARIOUS GRADUATE UNEMPLOYMENT

We are in a country where graduate unemployment has been a major head­ache to the extent that today, Ghana has in existence, Unemployed Univer­sity Graduate Association (UUGA). The National Labour Commission estimates a staggering unemployment figure of 700,000. Roughly, 53 per cent of recent graduates are either unem­ployed or underemployed. The average university graduate, needs up to half a year to find their initial employment if any. According to the 2021 Population and Housing Census by the Ghana Sta­tistical Service, more than 13 per cent of Ghana’s economically active popula­tion are out of work.

When graduates find themselves unemployed, poor, psychological, physical and emotional health and well-being may follow. This impacts on the motivation and drive to active­ly seek employment, which in turn lessens the probability of unemployed graduates securing employment in the labour market. The underlying causes of youth employment in Ghana, in­clude inadequate job creation despite relative good economic growth, poor access to, and quality of education and a mismatch in skills appropriate to the labour demands. In order to promote youth employment in Ghana, it is important to align formal education programmes and skills development ini­tiatives in the context of fast changing labour market that requires new and different skill sets and to adapt to new technology.

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TUC STANCE ON EMPLOYMENT FREEZE

As we speak now, the Trades Union Congress (TUC), the umbrella body of workers in Ghana, is vehemently, opposing the government’s decision to place a moratorium on employment in the civil and public services in 2023. Its Deputy General Secretary, Joshua Ansah, said the group was not in favour of a freeze on employment in the services and took steps to prevent it by engaging the IMF team which came into the country. According to him, the TUC was disappointed in the government for the move, describing it as “a stab in the back because government promised not to do so”. He assured that the TUC would discuss the issue with its social partners and respond appropriately.

Many have suggested that in order to cut down government expenditure and save cost, the government should take immediate steps to downsize its ministers and other political appoin­tees, re-align some of the ministries to take other responsibilities since there are a lot of duplications in the func­tions of some of the ministries. Expen­ditures on some of these ministries can be channelled into productive areas of the economy. There are a lot of wastes in public expenditure which need to be curtailed in order to conserve the needed revenue to prosecute our de­velopment agenda.

DOWNSIZING GOVERNMENT AND CUTTING WASTES

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Placing a moratorium on employment by freezing employment in civil and pub­lic services cannot in itself be the pana­cea for our present economic challenges. The ghost names in the public sector payrolls must be completely eradicated to introduce sanity into the system. The extravagance and opulent lifestyles of some of our ministers and other office holders need to be checked as we find solutions to our hydra-headed chal­lenges.Yes, government has introduced far-reaching measures to cut down public expenditure as requested by the IMF, but the leadership must lead by example by reducing the present size of government and refrain from unnecessary expendi­tures at the presidency. For instance, the tendency of conveying a special Presiden­tial Chair to and fro by V8 vehicle to state function across the country by the Office of the President must cease forthwith. Besides, the large convoy of state vehi­cles that always follows the President to public functions both internally and externally must be stopped to save the needed revenue.

LACK OF INTEREST IN GRADUATES’ WELFARE

It is quite obvious that our policymak­ers and for that matter the government and its political appointees, are only in­terested in churning out a large chunk of graduates yearly from our various univer­sities and other tertiary institutions, just for cheap political propaganda. How these graduates will manage to secure the needed jobs or employment is not their priority or business at all. If really, they care for these graduates, they would not have accepted this bitter pill from the IMF of putting a freeze on employment.

Contact email/WhatsApp of author:

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ataani2000@yahoo.com 0277753946/0248933366

By Charles Neequaye

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The increasing entrepreneurship among the Ghanaian diaspora in Finland

It seems more Ghanaian migrants in Finland are going into entrepreneurship or self-employment, and today I focus on the increas­ing economic activities of some people in the Ghanaian migrant community.

This is important because it shows the positive side of some Ghanaian individual migrants or groups (or their companies) who are accom­plishing or trying to accom­plish much for their wellbe­ing in Finland.

Some time ago, I wrote on the same topic, and today, I continue on that tangent but with a closer look on the expanding entrepreneurial endeavours among Ghanaian migrants in Finland. In this write up, I concentrate on the rise of business ventures that Ghanaian migrants in Finland usually engage in as part of their economic activi­ties in Finland.

Such ventures include hair salons or barbering shops, grocery shops or shop keep­ing generally, etc. which are operated in some Finnish cit­ies, especially in the Helsinki capital area (such as Espoo, Helsinki, and Vantaa).

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Existing research studies show that migrants may start their own companies based on their entrepreneurial as­pirations and/or necessity as it may be difficult for them to find suitable jobs matching their education. Other stud­ies point out that migrant entrepreneurs also create their own jobs and tend to employ other migrants if the business is successful, thus helping to reduce the unem­ployment burden in the host country. Whatever the case, I think both scenarios go well with Ghanaian migrants in Finland.

Hair salons and barbering shops

I previously wrote that bar­bering shops and salons are becoming increasingly pop­ular and are patronised by other Ghanaian or African mi­grants in Finland, especially women. Recent new barber­ing shops and hairdressing salons opened by Ghanaian and other African migrants to add to the number of exist­ing ones attests to this point. Other Ghanaian/African migrant entrepreneurs are into African clothing shops or dress-making/fashion indus­try. The artefacts or clothing shops usually sell fabrics brought from Ghana and other parts of Africa.

Aside this, some Ghanaians have established cleaning companies or a business in housing apartment rentals.

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Shop keeping and African foodstuffs

Ghanaian migrants/entre­preneurs living in Finland are involved in shop keeping (or buying and selling) ventures.

There are also African restaurants that serve Afri­can dishes. The cooking and serving of “Ghanaian food” is encouraged at events organ­ised by Ghanaian groups and individuals. It is therefore not surprising that the dishes sold in restaurants are highly patronised too.

The selling of Ghanaian or African food and artefacts has been common among the Ghanaian migrants in Finland. One can easily buy Ghanaian foodstuffs such as yams, garri, and others imported from Ghana and other African countries. I think this could make things easier should anyone set up a Ghanaian/African restaurant.

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The IT sector/Online business

The information technol­ogy (IT) sector is another area that is gaining interest among the Ghanaian mi­grant entrepreneurs. Many potential entrepreneurs are considering going into the IT start-ups and entrepreneur­ship.

I do not have much informa­tion about what the situation is but I would not be sur­prised to hear one day that some of them have actually taken off and are doing well. It could also be that some businesses are mostly going to operate online.

As I mentioned some time ago, many Ghanaian migrants in Finland have acquired more expertise and resources (academically, economically, technically, technologically, etc.), and the IT sector looks to be very promising for ven­turing into entrepreneurship.

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Other African migrants may currently be operating or have previously owned media (including videography) or newspaper/magazine outlets, particularly in the capital city of Helsinki.

Opportunities for integration

These days the question whether the business op­portunities is a positive sign of integration of Ghanaian migrants in Finland keeps coming to my mind.

Could it also offer opportuni­ties for them to team up with Finnish companies for busi­ness and investment oppor­tunities either in Ghana or in Finland? Maybe!

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As I keep pointing out, Fin­land encourages migrants’ participation in the planning of issues concerning the mi­grants themselves as one of the efficient ways to improve their inclusion in the Finnish society.

There is an enabling envi­ronment created within the Finnish business and entre­preneurship sector for people who are business-minded, including migrants. Thank you!

perpetual.crentsil@yahoo. com

By Perpetual Crentsil

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The Prophet part 9

Antubam followed her. She indicated for him to sit down. She was about to call Mary when she emerged from the hall, followed by Suzzie.

“It’s good you are both here,” she said. “There’s something I need to tell all three of you. Mr Antubam, I will not waste time on your so-called interest in me, because you and I are two very different people with absolutely nothing in common. The main point I want to make now is that your so-called church is nothing but a fraud with which you are deceiving people who may be ignorant today, but are still precious in God’s sight.

Apart from deceiving them and enriching yourself, you are using God’s name to commit fraud. Today you may be enjoying money, food, alcohol and women, but you will certainly pay a high price for it, unless of course you are willing to repent now. My concern is for my two sisters.

I am demanding that they cut all links with you, now. No visits to your home or church, and no telephone calls. I have told them to give you back every penny you have given them. I am prepared to find money to pay whatever they owe you. That is all I have to say.”

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Antubam rose, furious, and point­ed his finger at her.

“Let me warn you, Betty. Yes, I am interested in you, and I am ready to take care of all your needs, even to rent a house and buy a car for you. But I will not allow you to insult me. You better withdraw those words you have used against me now, or I will deal with you very soon.”

“Don’t make me laugh, Antubam. You? Deal with me? Why don’t you deal with me now? You have to wait till you go to the shrine and beg the fetish priest to deal with me? See how miserable you are? I dare you! Leave my house now, and go to that miserable fetish priest and get him to rain down all his powers on me!”

“You will see!” Antubam declared as he moved towards his car. He hesitated for a moment to see if Mary and Suzzie would walk him to the car, but noticing that they were firmly glued to their seats he got in the car and drove home.

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He got out of the car and went straight to the drinks cupboard, poured himself a full glass of whisky and gulped down half of it. He sat down and called his batman, Kofi Takyi.

“Which two women did you call today?”

“Aggie, one of the new members is in. She is having supper in the guest room. Priscilla will be coming around 9pm.”

“Good work, Kofi. Now, get me my food.” After wolfing down the fufu and light soup, he gulped down the other half of the whisky and stretched out on the sofa and began a smooth, rhythmic snore. Priscilla entered, walked over and, shaking her head, strolled to the bedroom.

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Betty came from the shower to find the two friends still glued to their seats.

“Well? Aren’t you two going to say anything?”

“I have something to say,” Mary said. “I don’t understand you, Betty. You want us to cut all links with Antubam, and to refund all the money he has given us. Now, when we do that, do we come back here tomorrow, sit and stare at the sky and hope and pray that our holy sister (Betty) will bring us manna to eat?”

“Such a stupid statement must not come from you, Mary. What hap­pened to your WASSCE qualifications and your intelligence? Here’s some free advice. Get on the internet. Submit applications for university admission. I am prepared to pay for the two of you. And from tomorrow, start studying the Bible seriously, with the intention of doing what it says. I assure you, there are solu­tions in the Bible for every problem you face today, and will face tomor­row. All you need, Mary, is to use your God-given intelligence. How could you stoop so low as to take money from a common thief and drunkard like Antubam?”

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Suzzie rose quietly and held Betty’s hand. “Do you know, Betty? Until a few minutes ago I did not know that you cared so much about me that you consider me your sister. I promise you. We will do as you say. Mary, we will go and collect the rent money, add it to all the money we have taken, and pay it into the ac­count. From tomorrow, Betty, Mary and I will follow you wherever you go’. With tears streaming down her cheeks she walked away.”

Antubam got up with a start. He checked the time on his phone. It was midnight. He sat up, and was moving towards the bedroom when he heard the voices.

“Is anything the matter?” he said. “You have never come here at this time. I thought you only come at dawn.”

“We are always here. We only contact you when we have to. We have to warn you. That girl is trouble. If you don’t leave her alone there will be problems.”

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“I don’t understand. I can’t leave her alone. I must sleep with her as many times as possible, conquer her. Why can’t you get her for me?”

“She is firmly buried in the book. You are sleeping with two women every night, and there are many more available in the church. Leave that girl alone?”

“Do you fear her? What book is that? I don’t know why…..” before he could finish the sentence sever­al flashes of pain like a horsewhip on fire cut across his back, and he yelled, bringing Priscilla and Aggie from their rooms.

“What is it, Antubam?” Priscilla asked.

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“Er…er. I saw a revelation about a church member who is in some trou­ble. I need to pray for her. Please go back to the rooms. I will join you soon.” Aggie went to the room, but Priscilla lingered.

“Antubam, why don’t you tell me what the problem is so that I can help you? It appears you have just received some spiritual lashes. Are you being punished for something you have done?”

“Perhaps your husband is punish­ing me for sleeping with you.”

“Do you dare insult me, Antubam. You will certainly regret speaking to me like this?”

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“You have a loud mouth, but your only abilities in life, Priscilla, are sex and extorting money. I will come and sleep with you shortly, and give you money in the morning. Now leave!” She slipped out quietly, and the voices resumed.

“Next time you talk like that you will receive a much bigger punish­ment. We are only trying to protect you. You are planning to go to the shrine tomorrow morning to invoke curses on the girl. Be careful. Our master may grant your wish if you press him, but you may regret it.”

“I am sorry if I sound ungrateful, but I just can’t resist that girl. She is so beautiful and sexy. Moreover she has insulted me, and I must punish her.”

“Remember we warned you. You are already in danger. One of your competitors is asking questions about you, and thinking about the possibility of dealing with you. Je­hoshaphat Agyiri. Everyone calls him Gidigidi.”

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“I have heard of him. But what have I done?”

“He belongs to us. We work for him. He wants to check if you will threaten him. He can’t do you any harm as long as you use the stick. But your main problem will come from the girl.”

“Thank you for your help. As for the girl, please talk to Nana Broni for me. I am ready to pay anything for the pleasure of catching that girl in my bed and disciplining her.”

“Antubam,” Priscilla started, “are you going to apologise for the way you spoke to me? And are you going to apologise for bringing another woman here even though I am here with you?”

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“Are you going to collect money from me tomorrow morning, Priscil­la?”

“Get into bed, you idiot. I wonder why those women in the church can­not see you for the cheap fraudster you really are.”

Antubam took off at dawn, and arrived at the shrine before five.

“You are welcome, Antubam. We know, yet we still ask, as the saying goes. What brings you here?”

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“You already know, Okomfo. I must have the girl at all costs. I am prepared to pay anything.”

“I have already consulted Nana Ama Kokoben. I have prepared a fire for her. She will be here any minute, with her mirrors. What you are asking is beyond me, but she is willing to help you. Ah, here she is.”

The small woman sat on a stool next to Okomfo, and stared into Antubam’s eyes for several minutes.

“I will try to help you, but the effort will come from you.” They moved over to the fire, and she placed the two mirrors over the fire.”

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“Look! You will see the girl. Take this needle. When she appears in the mirror, pierce her eyes with the needle. By the time you get back to Tafo she will be at your house. From today, she will follow you just as a dog follows its master.”

By Ekow de Heer

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