By Kofi Anokye OWUSU-DARKO (Dr)
For many young people in Ghana, finding a decent job that offers both stability and growth is becoming increasingly difficult. Each year, thousands of graduates and school leavers enter the workforce, but the availability of quality jobs remains limited.
Rising unemployment and underemployment have left many young people feeling frustrated and uncertain about their futures.
To address this challenge, the MAN-UP-C strategy, proposed by the NDC, offers a clear and comprehensive solution. The framework aims to create 1.7 million jobs between 2025 and 2029, averaging 431,737 new jobs annually.
Of these, 308,348 jobs will be allocated to new workforce entrants, while an additional 123,389 jobs will help reduce existing unemployment. This effort aims to reduce Ghana’s national unemployment rate from 14.7% to 12.05% during this period.
More importantly, MAN-UP-C will equip young Ghanaians with the skills, infrastructure, and opportunities needed to thrive in Ghana’s emerging 24-hour economy.
This strategy will modernize labour laws, provide digital and technical training through programmes like One Million Coders and the National Apprenticeship Programme, support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through the National Employment Trust (NET), and promote inclusiveness by ensuring job opportunities are available across all regions.
Now is the time for young people to seize these opportunities, gain the skills necessary to succeed, and build rewarding careers in a dynamic new 24-hour economy.
This article will explain what MAN-UP-C stands for and how it plans to create meaningful jobs for Ghana’s youth.
M – MODERNISING THE LEGAL AND INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK
The first part of the MAN-UP-C strategy focuses on modernizing Ghana’s legal and institutional framework, a critical step for job creation. Outdated laws and weak institutions can stifle business growth, limit job quality, and undermine workers’ job security. Reforming these frameworks is essential for ensuring a healthy job market.
A key change will be the update of the Labour Bill 2024 into a new Employment Act. This Act will introduce a flexible shift system, allowing work beyond traditional daytime hours and enhancing work-life balance. It will also modernize labour regulations to better align with today’s digital workforce.
The new Employment Act aims to protect young workers from unfair treatment while supporting businesses in their growth. For example, the next NDC government plans to ratify the ILO Convention 158 (Termination of Employment Convention 1982), which protects workers from arbitrary dismissals, providing greater job security.
Other laws, such as the Factories, Offices, and Shops Act 1970 (Act 328) and the Women’s Compensation Law 1987 (PNDCL 187), will also be updated to reflect modern workplace environments.
Furthermore, the NDC intends to accelerate the implementation of the Ghana Labour Market Information System (GLMIS). This system will give young people improved access to job market data, enabling them to make more informed career choices.
Through these reforms, MAN-UP-C will create a job market that is easier to navigate, safer for workers, and better aligned with the needs of both employees and employers.
Additionally, Bilateral Labour Migration Agreements will be executed to ensure the safe, orderly, and regular migration of Ghanaians to other countries. These agreements will facilitate access to decent work abroad, ensure respect for fundamental labour rights, and provide support through labour attachés stationed at Ghanaian missions.
A – ASPIRE 24: INCREASED LABOUR PRODUCTIVITY AND ENTERPRISE COMPETITIVENESS
Aspire 24 focuses on equipping Ghana’s workforce, particularly young people, with the skills they need to succeed in a rapidly evolving, technology-driven world. The global economy increasingly demands competencies in digital fields such as coding, artificial intelligence (AI), digital intelligence (DI), and data analysis. Aspire 24 is designed to help young Ghanaians meet these demands and remain competitive on both local and global stages.
A key initiative within Aspire 24 is the One Million Coders Programme, which will train one million young people in digital skills like coding and AI. These skills are highly sought after worldwide, and acquiring them will enable young Ghanaians not only to secure jobs in Ghana but also to compete for opportunities internationally.
Additionally, Aspire 24 aims to transform the mindset and work ethic of the workforce. The Nationwide Campaign on Mindset & Work Ethics Transformation will encourage young people to cultivate the attitudes and behaviours needed for success in a 24-hour economy. This includes becoming adaptable, responsible, and ready to seize opportunities—whenever and wherever they arise.
To further enhance employability, Aspire 24 will implement a National Apprenticeship Programme, which will generate self-employment by providing free technical and vocational training in various crafts. This programme will align education and training with the specific needs of key sectors like agriculture, manufacturing, and construction—industries that urgently require a workforce equipped with modern vocational and technical skills.
In a world where industries operate around the clock, Aspire 24 will prepare young Ghanaians to thrive in an economy that values flexibility and innovation, ensuring that Ghanaian businesses remain competitive on the global stage.
N – NATIONAL EMPLOYMENT TRUST (NET): SUPPORTING START-UPS AND SMES
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the engine of job creation in any economy, but in Ghana, these businesses often face challenges in accessing the resources they need to grow. The National Employment Trust (NET) is designed to provide SMEs with the financial and technical support necessary for their success.
Through NET, young entrepreneurs and start-ups will gain access to funding and resources to expand their businesses. NET will collaborate with Enterprise Support Organizations to offer technical assistance, mentoring, and financial support, transforming these SMEs into powerful engines of job creation.
For young people, this translates into more job opportunities in key sectors such as technology, renewable energy, agriculture, and manufacturing. NET will target businesses with the potential for growth, aiming to create long-term, sustainable jobs. This initiative is not about generating temporary work—it seeks to build a job market that ensures security, stability, and growth opportunities in both day and night economies.
Specific programmes under NET include:
- A $50 million FinTech Growth Fund: A FinTech Growth Fund with an initial seed funding of US$ 50 million to support indigenous digital entrepreneurs and Fintech companies to grow and create jobs.
- Adwumawura Programme: A start-up programme to facilitate the creation, tracking, and mentoring of a youth-led businesses
- Rapid Industrialization for Jobs : An industrialization plan focusing on value addition, boosting strategic businesses, and reviving viable factories to support import substitution and export growth.
Ghana Green Jobs Initiative: Supporting transformative green entrepreneurs whose businesses will contribute The MAN-UP-C strategy offers substantial Return on Investment (ROI) for businesses and stakeholders, driven by its focus on job creation and skill development.
As 1.7 million jobs are created between 2025 and 2029, businesses can expect market expansion fuelled by increased consumer spending power from a more employed and financially stable youth population.
The development of key sectors such as technology, agriculture, and manufacturing through initiatives like the National Employment Trust (NET) will further drive productivity and innovation, positioning Ghana as a more competitive player in both regional and global markets.
By investing in youth employment, businesses and investors stand to gain long-term benefits from a growing and skilled labour force that supports sustainable economic growth, greater market opportunities, and enhanced competitiveness.
UP – LEVELLING UP: ENSURING EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY
The Levelling Up strategy is designed to address systemic inequities that affect youth, women, and persons with disabilities in the labour market.
A key challenge in Ghana is that job opportunities are often concentrated in large cities like Accra, leaving rural areas and smaller towns with fewer options. Levelling Up seeks to correct this imbalance by ensuring that jobs are created across the country, not just in urban centers.
This means that, regardless of where you live, job opportunities will be accessible near you. Levelling Up includes specific programmes such as the creation of the Women’s Bank, which will provide financial resources and training for women to start and grow their businesses. There are also initiatives for persons with disabilities, including digital skills training, to ensure that everyone can access opportunities in the modern job market.
The overarching goal is to promote inclusiveness and equal opportunity, ensuring that every young person—no matter their background—has the chance to build a successful career.
The informal sector will also not be left behind. Processes for business registration and tax payment will be streamlined and simplified, giving informal sector workers equal access to opportunities from both the private and public sectors, which may require a more formalized structure.
Additionally, an innovative framework will encourage informal sector workers to enrol in pension schemes, securing their retirement. Levelling Up also aims to formalize the roles of craftsmen and artisans by providing them with legal recognition, access to social protection, and technical support—all aimed at increasing their productivity and improving their livelihoods.
C – COORDINATION BY THE NATIONAL EMPLOYMENT COORDINATION COMMITTEE
The success of a large-scale employment strategy like MAN-UP-C hinges on strong coordination. The National Employment Coordination Committee (NECC) will be responsible for overseeing all job creation initiatives, ensuring that they are implemented effectively.
This committee will include representatives from government, labour unions, employers, students, and workers from both the formal and informal sectors. Its role will be to ensure that resources are allocated efficiently, job creation targets are met, and the process remains transparent.
For young people, the NECC represents a dedicated body working to keep the job creation strategy on track. This ensures that opportunities are available where they are needed most. Such coordinated oversight will instil confidence that the MAN-UP-C strategy is delivering real, measurable results for a 24-hour economy.
COST AND FUNDING
To implement the MAN-UP-C strategy, a total investment of GHS 13.7 billion is required over the next four years. This funding is to support the creation of 1.7 million jobs between 2025 and 2029, empowering Ghana’s youth and building the infrastructure necessary for a 24-hour economy.
Below is a breakdown of the estimated costs for each pillar of the strategy, followed by an overview of the funding sources:
| Pillar | Cost GHS’ Million | Source of Funding (USD1 billion) | |
| Modernising the Legal and Institutional Framework | 140 | USD 500 million
USD 160 million (USD 40 million annually).
USD240 million
USD 30 million
USD 70 million |
IDA Facility
Government of Ghana Bank of Ghana Special Employment Soft Policy Loan. EDIF/ EXIM Bank Development Bank of Ghana |
| Aspire 24 | 560 | ||
| National Employment Trust | 11,760 | ||
| Levelling Up | 1,120 | ||
| Ghana Labour Market Information System | 140 | ||
| Total | 13,720 | ||
The investment required for MAN-UP-C is to be sourced from a variety of domestic and international streams. This includes contributions from institutions like the International Development Association (IDA), Export-Import Bank (EXIM Bank), the Development Bank of Ghana, and the Government of Ghana. These funding sources will provide the financial backing necessary to support the overall strategy.
This funding structure provides the backbone for driving large-scale job creation and building the skills needed for Ghana’s youth to succeed in a dynamic, 24-hour economy. By leveraging a mix of loans, government support, and private investments, MAN-UP-C is to deliver on its goal to create stable, well-paying jobs for the future.
CONCLUSION
The MAN-UP-C strategy offers a comprehensive framework to tackle Ghana’s unemployment crisis, aiming to create 1.7 million jobs between 2025 and 2029. It addresses the key challenges faced by the country’s workforce, ensuring that these jobs are not just available but also decent, sustainable, and accessible to young people across the nation.
With funding sourced from a combination of domestic and international partners, including institutions like the International Development Association (IDA), the Export-Import Bank (EXIM Bank), and the Development Bank of Ghana, the MAN-UP-C strategy is financially grounded.
This GHS 13.7 billion investment will drive large-scale job creation and equip young Ghanaians with the skills and opportunities needed to thrive in a 24-hour economy.
The plan is built on five key pillars:
- Modernizing labour laws and institutional framework to protect workers and allow businesses to grow in a more flexible, inclusive environment.
- Equipping the youth with skills and the right mind-set through Aspire 24, focusing on digital and technical training in high-demand sectors such as technology, manufacturing, and renewable energy
- Supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses through the National Employment Trust (NET), with a focus on long-term, sustainable job creation in industries that will thrive in a 24-hour economy.
- Promoting inclusiveness with the Levelling Up strategy, creating job opportunities across all regions and ensuring that underserved communities have access to employment.
- Coordinating efforts through the National Employment Coordination Committee, ensuring efficient resource allocation and transparent progress tracking.
For Ghana’s youth, MAN-UP-C presents real opportunities:
- Job security through modernized labour laws that protect workers from unfair dismissals.
- Technical and digital skills training through initiatives like One Million Coders and the National Apprenticeship Programme.
- Support for entrepreneurship, providing financial and technical backing to SMEs and start-ups.
- Opportunities across all regions, ensuring inclusivity through the Levelling Up strategy.
In summary, MAN-UP-C provides a clear path to a brighter future, creating jobs that are stable, well-paying, and aligned with the skills and ambitions of Ghana’s youth. By addressing the root causes of unemployment and promoting long-term job creation, this strategy will foster a stronger, more inclusive economy, where young Ghanaians can thrive.
Furthermore, with its well-structured funding from multiple streams, MAN-UP-C establishes the foundation for Ghana’s 24-hour economy, preparing the workforce for industries that operate around the clock and ensuring businesses remain competitive in a global marketplace that never sleeps.
The opportunities are real, and the time to act is now. Whether through acquiring new digital skills, engaging with entrepreneurship programs, or participating in industries like agro-processing, manufacturing, and technology, Ghana’s youth must seize the resources provided by MAN-UP-C to shape their future and build fulfilling careers in this dynamic, emerging 24-hour economy.
The author is a Chartered Banker and holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Financial Management (DipFM-ACCA) (Contact: [email protected])
