Open Letter To President Mahama

I write to you Mr. President about the rate at which companies retrench their employees. You are well aware that an opportunity to work remains a lofty goal for everyone, especially the youth of Ghana. Your Excellency, it is important to remind you that you are in your third year of the NDC's second term as president. However, many workers are losing their jobs while others face threats of layoffs.

Mr. President, many Ghanaians have invested resources in educating their wards with the hope that one day they will enjoy the benefits of their investment. Sadly, 'had I know' appears to be the watch word of many parents. For the first time in the history of Ghana, there is an association of unemployed youth. This is really unprecedented!

It is interesting to consider why we are in this mess. The fact is that government alone cannot create sustainable jobs for all its citizens. And this probably explains why the National Youth Employment Programme, now GYEDA was an intermediary between training and the main stream work. Nonetheless, government has a responsibility of creating the enabling environment for business to thrive. Inflation and interest rate for instance, are macro-economic indicators that affect the health of businesses. High rates of interest and inflation would naturally put stress on businesses. Mr. President, it is quite not easy to force these economic indicators to remain at the expected levels. Only prudent management of the economy can help the situation. The situation is exacerbated by the erratic power supply known as 'dumsor'. This has opened your administration to streams of bashes from the Ghanaian people. Many have described you as insensitive since you superintendent over the power crisis for far too long.

Mr. President, how is it right to attack banks that charge high interest rate? Your trade minister, Dr. Spio Gabra should know that economic policies design by the finance minister should keep interest rate low. With this, banks will be able to lend to business at low interest rate. The banks are not charity organizations and should not be compelled to do what is not right in this volatile economy.

Your Excellency, job creation must be a priority of your administration for a number of reasons. When the citizenry are gainfully employed, your administration would have enough revenue to work. Under the current economic conditions, people are forced to evade taxes against their will. Also, the menace of corruption in the public service would become history if people are employed and can earn decent salaries. Importantly, unemployment remains a security threat for Ghana. The devil they say finds work for the idle hands. The potential of 'Boko haram' to get followers in Ghana cannot be ignored.

Mr. President, it is a fact that governance is challenging, but anything that threatens the stability of Ghana must be faced head on. If we pride ourselves as the beacon of democracy in the sub-region and pay little attention to job creation, we should accepted responsibility of youth protests in the country.

Zuberu Aliu