Ken Thompson, the former CEO of Dalex Finance, has called on Ghanaians to rethink their understanding of job creation, stressing that governments do not directly create jobs. Speaking on Channel One TV’s Face to Face on Tuesday, March 25, Thompson emphasized the need for a mindset shift, particularly among the youth.
“We must be clear in our minds that it is not the government that creates jobs. No government anywhere creates jobs,” Thompson stated. He urged citizens to focus on alternative employment opportunities, pointing out that the government’s role is not to directly provide jobs but to create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.
Thompson also voiced concern about the aspirations of many young Ghanaians, particularly the widespread desire to work in state institutions like the Bank of Ghana. He believes this reflects deeper systemic issues. “What even breaks my heart is that a lot of young people, when you ask them where they want to work, some of them say, ‘I want to work in the Bank of Ghana.’ Then you know it’s a problem. Ghana, it is a problem,” he remarked.
Additionally, Thompson highlighted the lack of resources in certain institutions, stating, “You go to some of these institutions, some of them don’t even have desks to sit on.” This observation sheds light on the broader challenges that many government agencies face, which may hinder job creation within the public sector.
While acknowledging the struggles of young people in Ghana, Thompson made it clear that these challenges are not the fault of the youth. “It is not the young people’s fault. Ghana is really in a difficult place to survive,” he said, urging for more focus on innovative solutions to address the country’s unemployment issues.
Thompson’s comments serve as a call for a reevaluation of how Ghana approaches job creation, urging the nation to foster a more dynamic economy where private sector growth can create sustainable employment opportunities.