Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Abdul-Rashid Pelpuo, has assured Ghanaians that while the country is receiving increasing interest from foreign governments requesting Ghanaian labour, the government has no plans to send large numbers of young people abroad at the expense of national development.
Dr. Pelpuo said the government is ready to support citizens who wish to work outside the country but remains firmly committed to creating sustainable jobs locally through its newly launched 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development Programme.
“Lots of countries are also approaching us for jobs abroad. We are responding to them, but we are not going to take all our young people out of the country,” he said while speaking on TV3’s Hot Issues on Sunday, July 6, 2025.
“We are going to give opportunity for those who want to work outside the country to work outside.”
Dr. Pelpuo noted that the government has conducted thorough assessments and multiple scenario planning to ensure that the rollout of the new economic programme is well-paced and impactful.
“We have done enough estimations. We have gone through a number of scenarios, and we know that once we launch and we are moving, we are not going to stop anywhere,” he added confidently.
His comments follow the official launch of the government’s flagship 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development Programme by President John Dramani Mahama on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in Accra.
During the launch, President Mahama described the initiative as a “national reset” — a strategic move aimed at revitalising Ghana’s economy through 24-hour productivity and an aggressive export agenda.
“This is more than a policy initiative; it is a national reset — a bold strategic shift to unlock our country’s full productive potential,” Mahama said.
“Today, we reclaim our founder’s vision of a self-reliant, industrious and inclusive African nation that works with its creativity and ensures prosperity for all.”
The programme is expected to boost employment across key sectors including manufacturing, agriculture, health, retail, logistics, and the creative arts, while expanding Ghana’s export capacity and attracting foreign exchange.
Dr. Pelpuo’s comments appear to reassure citizens that the 24-hour economy will not only create jobs at home but also provide dignified avenues for Ghanaians who wish to pursue opportunities abroad — all without compromising the country’s long-term development vision.
