Author: THE NEW REPUBLIC

By Lawrence Odoom/Phalonzy A compelling case for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as the bedrock of employment, entrepreneurship, and national transformation was made to over 1,000 Junior High School candidates in the Mampong Municipal District of the Ashanti Region. The appeal came at a Career Guidance Programme convened by the Nhyira Charities Foundation, designed to illuminate the critical nexus between education, skills acquisition, and sustainable economic growth. Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Patrick Essien, Founder of Molex Foundation Africa and Deputy Director of the Mining Department at the Environmental Protection Authority, asserted that Ghana’s economic metamorphosis hinges on…

Nigerian women of working age are mostly (90%) self-employed. By comparison, self-employment accounts for less than 16% of employment in high-income countries such as the United States, Germany and the United Kingdom. It is far lower in middle-income countries like South Africa and Turkey too. Official statistics show that self-employment in Nigeria is concentrated in the northern regions. And there’s a gender difference: women make up the majority of those working for themselves. What these numbers do not explain is why women are far more likely than men to operate businesses from their homes, or whether those businesses generate meaningful…

By Leo Nelson Ghana’s economic outlook for 2026 has come under renewed scrutiny after Fitch Solutions revised the country’s growth forecast downward, citing mounting global pressures, rising fuel prices, and persistent inflationary concerns. The latest assessment has sparked conversations across financial circles, policy institutions, and among investors who have closely followed Ghana’s recent economic recovery story. The new projection places Ghana’s economic growth at 5.5 percent for 2026, down from an earlier forecast of 5.9 percent. While the revised figure still points to a relatively strong expansion compared to several economies in the region, it signals that external shocks are…

By Leo Nelson President John Dramani Mahama has set out an ambitious plan for youth employment by boosting agroprocessing and reviving state-owned enterprises, calling it a pathway toward a “reset Ghana” anchored in productivity and human capital development. Speaking at the May Day Celebration, Mahama emphasized the importance of strengthening rural economies by investing in agroprocessing hubs. According to him, these hubs are critical to creating sustainable livelihoods for young people while boosting agricultural output. He explained that the newly launched Farmers Service Centre is designed to support farmers in expanding cultivation areas, increasing yields, and improving incomes. The initiative…

By Leo Nelson President John Dramani Mahama, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening Ghana’s anti-corruption framework through legal and institutional reforms. Addressing workers and stakeholders at the 2026 May Day celebration held in Koforidua in the Eastern Region, the President spoke on the need for a more effective Office of the Special Prosecutor, emphasising the importance of accountability in public service. He acknowledged ongoing legal disputes regarding the constitutionality of the Office of the Special Prosecutor, noting that some of these matters remain before the courts for interpretation. “While some of the issues are pending appeal and Supreme Court…

By Lawrence Odoom/Phalonzy President John Dramani Mahama has ceremoniously broken ground for the construction of a state-of-the-art 24-hour market complex at Asesewa, a decisive move to resuscitate the town’s once-thriving commercial heartbeat. The project delivers on a crucial campaign pledge and anchors a sweeping national blueprint to establish 261 modern 24-hour markets across Ghana, designed to invigorate trade, stimulate local enterprise, and fortify district economies. Addressing dignitaries and market stakeholders at Friday’s groundbreaking ceremony, President Mahama declared that the initiative is strategically crafted to expedite progress at the grassroots level. “The 24-hour markets are meant to accelerate developmental activities in…

By Leo Nelson On a typical morning in Accra, the rhythm of work begins long before sunrise. From trotro stations to market stalls and office cubicles, millions of Ghanaians step into another day of labour with a quiet calculation at the back of their minds. It is not about profit or savings. It is about survival. The arithmetic does not add up, yet somehow, it continues to work. This is the paradox that defines the modern Ghanaian worker, a reality that has increasingly drawn comparisons to magic. At the heart of this paradox lies a stark mismatch between income and…

Nigeria’s livestock industry is being positioned for a major commercial overhaul, with stakeholders mobilising a private sector-led investment drive targeting up to $3bn in pastoral market opportunities over the next three to five years. The initiative reflects growing alignment between government and industry actors on the need to address long-standing structural constraints that have limited productivity, investment flows, and value chain integration in one of Africa’s largest agricultural subsectors. The push was central to discussions at a three-day high-level forum in Abuja, where producers, processors, financiers, and policymakers met to negotiate deals, establish supply arrangements, and attempt to rebuild confidence…

By Lawrence Odoom/Phalonzy Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu has pledged government’s resolve to expand the recently declared 7,000 teacher recruitment allocation, following vociferous concerns from teacher unions decrying the figure as woefully insufficient. The commitment comes on the heels of sharp rebuke from the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) and allied unions, who argue that the quota scarcely dents the employment backlog of over 10,000 trained graduates from Colleges of Education and other tertiary institutions still languishing without postings. Speaking during the May Day commemorations in Kumasi on Friday, May 1, the Minister conceded that the present ceiling fails to…

By Lawrence Odoom The Central Regional Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr. Richard Asiedu, has delivered a resolute admonition to government appointees to honor the party’s base or forfeit the mandate of power. In an unvarnished engagement with the press, Dr. Asiedu voiced profound disquiet over a widening chasm between certain high-ranking officials and the devoted party faithful whose toil secured their ascendancy. While commending appointees who have remained anchored and accessible, he issued a scathing rebuke to those displaying “poor attitudes.” Dr. Asiedu decried a disturbing pattern of hubris among select officials, citing disconcerting accounts of appointees…