Bernard Antwi Boasiako, widely known as Chairman Wontumi, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has urged Ghana’s youth to back Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia in the upcoming presidential election. Wontumi claims that electing Dr. Bawumia will bring about a new era of opportunities, where students can attend university using their Ghana Cards and secure jobs with monthly salaries of ₵8,000 upon graduation.
Addressing a crowd, Chairman Wontumi explained that under a Bawumia administration, higher education would be more accessible, with the Ghana Card playing a key role in the admission process. He further claimed that graduates would have guaranteed employment, earning ₵8,000 per month, with an installment plan to help them repay their educational expenses from their salaries.
“Dr. Bawumia has assured that if he becomes president, all you need is your Ghana Card to attend university, and upon graduating, there will be jobs paying GHS 8,000 per month,” Wontumi stated in a viral video.
These bold promises have sparked widespread debate across social media, with many Ghanaians expressing skepticism and mocking the claims. Critics argue that such high-paying jobs for graduates seem far-fetched, especially given the country’s ongoing economic difficulties.
Unemployment remains a significant issue in Ghana, as successive governments have struggled to create enough job opportunities for graduates. A 2021 World Bank report highlighted that over 110,000 young people graduate from universities annually, yet the limited growth in non-oil and non-mineral sectors has contributed to rising graduate unemployment. Data from the Ghana Statistical Service for the third quarter of 2023 showed that, while 12 million Ghanaians were employed, around 2.06 million were unemployed, representing an unemployment rate of 14.7%.
The Greater Accra region has the highest unemployment rate at 25.7%, with one in four economically active individuals in the capital city without work. High unemployment rates are also present in the Ashanti and Western regions, both exceeding 16%, while the Oti region recorded the lowest unemployment rate at 6.4%. Gender disparities persist, with 17.7% of economically active women unemployed compared to 10.9% of men.
Wontumi’s claims of instant job placement and high salaries have left many questioning the practicality of his promises, given the nation’s long-standing unemployment challenges.
