The Minority in Parliament has criticized the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government’s 2025 budget, questioning the credibility of its job creation promises, which they described as “sakawa jobs” implying they are deceptive or unrealistic.
Addressing the media after Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson presented the budget on Tuesday, March 11, the Minority raised concerns over what they viewed as inconsistencies in the government’s economic message. While the minister urged investors to consider Ghana, he also admitted that the economy was in a dire state. This, they argued, could discourage potential investment, with one MP remarking, “Is he driving away investment? This is not the way to govern a country.”
They also challenged the feasibility of the government’s US$10 billion “Big Push” initiative. Despite repeated assurances about the ambitious project, only US$800 million has been allocated in the budget, raising doubts about how the full amount will be secured. “How can they claim to spend US$10 billion when only US$800 million has been allocated?” they questioned.
The Minority insisted that even if the government were to invest US$1 billion annually, it would still fall short of the target by the end of its term. They further accused the administration of failing to meet its commitments, stating, “They are already failing in their promise as far as the Big Push is concerned.”
Reaffirming their skepticism about the budget’s employment projections, the Minority maintained that the government’s job creation agenda was unrealistic, reiterating, “The jobs they are promising Ghanaians, they are sakawa jobs.”
