Mahama NEVER stated "I am not a magician to create jobs,"

The statement attributed to John Mahama, claiming he said, "I am not a magician to create jobs," has been consistently misrepresented by the NPP in a deliberate attempt to mislead the public. This quote is not a direct or accurate reflection of what Mahama said, but rather a twisted version to serve as political propaganda. Let’s clarify what happened.

In 2016, at a public forum, Mahama was asked about creating jobs and addressing the economic situation. His actual response highlighted the practical realities of job creation and how it ties into the skills of the workforce. He explained that money could not magically appear in people's pockets, but rather it must be earned through work. He emphasized that job creation depends on having the necessary skills that industries demand. This reflects a responsible, realistic approach to sustainable job creation, not a dismissal of his responsibility as a leader. As a matter of fact Mahama stated in 2016 that –"The fact of life is that you can only earn money in your pocket if you work and earn it. And so, there is no magic to put money into people’s pocket."

What Mahama was pointing out is that job creation is not about magic but about skills, education, and sustainable policies. Thus, Mahama’s point was that without matching skills, opportunities for sustainable jobs would be limited, and the focus should be on aligning education and job markets. The NPP, in their desperation to distract from their failures, took this statement out of context and weaponized it, portraying Mahama as indifferent to job creation.

Now, contrast this with the NPP's promise in 2016. They boldly claimed they would create so many jobs that they would have to "import labor from other countries." This grandiose promise has turned out to be empty. Their failure is evident in the rise of illegal mining (galamsey) and the destruction of forests and water bodies, driven by unemployed youth seeking ways to survive in an economy that has not delivered on those promises.

Voters should remember this as they prepare for the 2024 elections. The NPP’s political propaganda and misrepresentation of Mahama’s words are designed to cover up their own incompetence. Ghanaians need a leader who can deliver on practical solutions, and John Mahama’s focus on aligning education with job creation is the way forward. Therefore, vote for John Mahama and Naana Opoku Agyemang come December 7^th, 2024!

Ebenezer Ato Ntarkurfah Jackson, Cornell University, MBA Class of 2015, [email protected]