The Minority in Parliament has strongly criticised the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government’s 2025 budget, particularly the job creation promises, which they have labelled as “sakawa jobs,” implying that these positions are unrealistic or fraudulent.
Speaking to the media after Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson delivered the budget on Tuesday, 11th March, the minority expressed their dissatisfaction with several aspects of the budget.
They were especially concerned about the government’s promises of job creation.
The minority also took issue with what they saw as contradictory statements from the Finance Minister. While Dr Forson was appealing to investors to come to Ghana, he simultaneously acknowledged that the country’s economy is in a poor state.
The minority argued that such mixed messages could deter potential investors, with one member questioning, “Is he driving away investment? This is not the way to govern a country.”
Another key point of contention was the government’s ambitious US$10 billion “Big Push” initiative. Despite frequent references to the US$10 billion target, only US$800 million has been allocated in the budget for the project.
The minority expressed doubts about the feasibility of the initiative, asking, “How can they claim to spend US$10 billion when only US$800 million has been allocated?”.
They further pointed out that even if the government spends US$1 billion per year, they would not reach the US$10 billion target by the end of their term.
The Minority stressed that the jobs being promised to Ghanaians are unrealistic, emphasising, “The jobs they are promising Ghanaians, they are sakawa jobs.”
They also accused the government of failing to deliver on its promises, particularly in relation to the “Big Push.” “They are already failing in their promise, so far as the Big Push is concerned,” they asserted.
