THE UGLY FACE OF UNEMPLOYMENT IN GHANA

The most difficult work or job one can ever engage in is to sit down, put both hands between the lap and do nothing. Madam Gladys Adzo Doe, the mother of this writer puts this concept in a picturesque way: she says in Ewe: “Do nye ame” literally put:”to be gainfully employed is what make us somebody.”

Unemployment in Ghana today is like a virus that seeps through healthy bodies and then ravaging them beyond repairs. Its effects are enormous - physical, emotional, psychological, and mental and the likes. If one is out of work you can expect the aforementioned behaviors. For instance an unemployed can take to anti-social activities. The victim may also commit suicide – a farmer may take own his life after realizing how flood or fire has gartered his farm.

The writer is troubled about the unemployment situation and the spate at which able bodied, eager, willing and hardworking Ghanaians are being lay off and jobless.

First, it was the decongestion exercise that saw the disengagement of hapless hawkers in the central business district of Accra. Over thousands people had their wares either destroyed or confiscated. Most of these people who are bread winners had perhaps taken loans from banks in anticipation that they could yield some profits and settle their benefactors. Of course, places like Soldier Bar, Sodom and Gomorrah and the likes deserve annihilation. To that extent, the decongestion exercise was laudable but certainly not the solution. We copy blindly from the west. We travel to the west stay there for two three years come back home and hope to change things overnight. Accra is a commercial centre. The whole area is one big market. Most African markets are like that. No matter what, Accra would still be what it is – we've lived with it for decades.

The only solution here is to take a clue from Nigeria. In the mid 90s the then Nigerian government saw how unattractive, filthy and congested the capital city, Lagos was. As a result, the government relocated the capital from Lagos to Abuja. This is feasible in Ghana too, isn't it?

Another unemployment situation that is beginning to hit the country is the layoff of over 950 Vodafone workers. Examining how far the story unfolds, no amount of prayers or witches can save the situation – not even TUC or CWU - the die has cast. TUC and CWU are not negotiating to ensure the redeployment of affected victims rather they want due process be followed for the lay off. What then is the fate of these victims? How about working with the private lottery authority in Ghana? - The story there too is not any different.

Talking about voluntary service these days? You would be surprise most companies and corporate organizations are reluctant to accept people who are readily available to offer themselves free of charge for voluntary service. Thousands complete school with reputable certificates yet the system seems to be chocked to these young scholars. I'm tempted to believe that the truism, “who you know or who knows you” in the search for job is real. We often hear politicians and opinion leaders say investing in human resource is key for nation building – now there are many idle hands not engaged. Or is it that those due for retirement are reluctant to go?

Read the papers, there are employment vacancies demanding for not less than three years work experience in certain field. Where would this experience come from when most organizations are reluctant to offer internship to students? I believe this may account for the reason people feel reluctant to go on retirement because it might have been a long fight and struggle for them to get employed. Yes, government can't provide jobs for all – some would have to establish themselves. But not everyone can get the initial capital to set up private businesses – all hands are not equal.

No doubt, the repercussion of this numerous layoffs and joblessness is beginning to manifest. Devil finds work for idle hand. We see how the youth are been gunned down by the police for various crimes. The “stubborn” ones are back on the street of Accra, hawking. This means the thousands of Ghana cedis spent for the decongestion exercise was fiasco.

The earlier we began assisting the hardworking youth the better for us all. We risk our lives and love ones' if the youth is left idle.

This writer is a student of GIJ and a teacher of SDA High Street, Accra. And decide to write because of the danger he foresees if the youth and scholar is denied internship or employment.

SANUSI FRANCIS
GHANA INSTITUTE JOURNALISM

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