Alexander Afenyo-Markin, Minority Leader, has challenged the Mahama administration to prioritise job creation, maintaining that Ghanaians are more concerned about employment opportunities rather than the government’s proposed New Economy programme.
Speaking to journalists after Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson presented the 2027 Budget Statement and Economic Policy to Parliament on Thursday, November 12, Afenyo-Markin questioned the government’s record on employment and demanded clear figures on the number of jobs created since it assumed office.
The Minority leader argued that presenting economic data and announcing new policy initiatives would mean little to citizens if they did not translate into jobs, better incomes and improved living conditions.
“They haven’t been able to tell us how many jobs they have created. Ghanaians want jobs, jobs, jobs. We are not interested in data. We are not interested in a paper economy. We are not interested in what they call a New Economy,” he stated.
The Minority Leader also accused the government of relying on slogans instead of addressing unemployment and the high cost of living.
“Let Ghanaians know that this NDC government is a sloganeering government. What they came to do was to subject us to another round of slogans and no jobs,” he said.
He added: “You cannot rebrand unemployment. They cannot slogan away the cost of living.”
Afenyo-Markin further questioned the government’s ability to meet its financial obligations, particularly payments owed to public sector workers and funding for additional recruitment.
He, however, welcomed the Finance Minister’s announcement that government was ready to pay bondholders under the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP); he asked why similar financial commitments remained a concern for other groups.
“They claim that they have money to pay domestic debt exchange programme bondholders, those whose savings were postponed and whose payments were deferred. They say they have money to pay. That is good news. We welcome that,” he said.
“But the question is: where is the money to pay JUSAG, the money to pay teachers, the money to pay nurses, and the money to recruit?”
The Minority Leader further raised concerns about the government’s campaign promises, including the proposed bank intended to provide financial support to women and traders.
He also questioned the progress of the 24-hour economy initiative, arguing that the administration had not provided sufficient evidence of its implementation.
Afenyo-Markin maintained that the Mahama government must demonstrate how its economic policies are improving the lives of citizens, rather than relying on statistics and new programme announcements.
He said the Minority would continue to scrutinise the 2027 Budget and assess whether the proposals adequately address unemployment, business challenges and the cost of living.
Minority MPs Chant “Cocaine” During 2027 Budget Presentation #GHNow https://t.co/OtbxPB9pwr
— GHnow (@ghnow_) November 12, 2026
