Ghana economic leaders call for job-focused digital and fiscal policies

Ghanaian officials and economists are emphasizing the need to transition from theoretical training and fiscal consolidation to practical job creation. At the MOBEX Africa 2026 summit, Chief of Staff Dr. Julius Debrah warned that the ‘One Million Coders Programme’ must deliver actual employment and entrepreneurship opportunities rather than just certificates. Communications Minister Sam Nartey George supported this, stating the programme aims to provide real-world skill sets, while also raising concerns regarding data sovereignty and the impact of the U.S. Cloud Act on African data.

On the fiscal front, Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson stressed that the ‘New Economy’ agenda must prioritize value for money, asserting that every cedi invested must raise productivity, create jobs, and support private enterprise to avoid wasting resources intended for the youth.

Complementing these views, economist Professor Godfred Alufar Bokpin advised the government to move away from aggressive expenditure cuts toward job-led growth. He suggested that the 24-hour economy policy should be implemented in phases with dedicated annual budget allocations to ensure it becomes a sustainable national programme rather than a political pledge.