If the president doesn’t work with the private sector, job creation will be difficult – GNAT boss warns

In an interview with 3news’ labour correspondent monitored by MyNewsGH, Thomas Tanko Musah, the General Secretary of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), bemoaned Ghana’s fragile economy and what he expects from the incoming president John Dramani Mahama to handle it.

Reacting to the President’s final State of the Nation Address (SONA) on January 3, 2025, Musah emphasized the importance of a broader approach to job creation, urging the President to engage more directly with private sector organizations such as the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) and the Ghana Employers’ Association (GEA).

“Aside from his cabinet ministers, the President must engage the AGI and the Ghana Employers’ Association because they are the people that can create the jobs for the teeming youth,” Musah remarked.

He noted that the public sector, which traditionally absorbs a significant portion of the workforce, is now “choked,” meaning there is limited capacity to create the kind of sustainable jobs needed for the growing population.

For Musah, collaboration with the private sector is vital to transforming the economy and creating a “twenty-four-hour economy” that can provide continuous opportunities across various sectors.

He stressed that without involving the key players in business and industry, the country would struggle to make meaningful economic progress.

“We need to realize that the public sector can no longer bear the weight of job creation alone,” Musah continued.

“If the President doesn’t go to these people, that twenty-four-hour economy will be difficult to achieve.” His statement reflects widespread frustration over the lack of job opportunities, especially among the youth, many of whom have struggled to find work despite the country’s vast potential.

Beyond just economic strategies, Musah also shared a personal reflection on leadership, advising the President on how to navigate the complexities of his position.

He suggested that regular interaction with the media would help the President stay grounded and receive vital feedback from the public.

“At least every year, he should meet the media three times. That will give him feedback,” Musah stated. “This is important because, as humans, we can be something else.

“Every human being is surrounded by three types of people: the wicked people who don’t wish you well, the selfish ones who always want to use you, and the novices who may not know the full picture. The President must find a way to manoeuvre through all of them.”