Deputy Minister of Finance, Dr. John Kumah, revealed that the government amassed GH¢1.19 billion in revenue from the E-levy in 2023. These funds were earmarked for initiatives aimed at addressing unemployment in the country, including the YouStart Programme, the Ghana Enterprise Agency, and the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme.
Dr. Kumah’s disclosure came in response to statistics from the Ghana Statistical Service, indicating that over 1.5 million Ghanaian youth were unemployed. He emphasized the government’s commitment to leveraging E-levy proceeds to bolster job creation efforts, both through governmental and private sector channels.
Highlighting the importance of entrepreneurship in tackling unemployment, Dr. Kumah outlined the government’s strategy to attract domestic and foreign investments to stimulate job growth. He underscored the significance of empowering young entrepreneurs, stating that even if a fraction of the unemployed youth became entrepreneurs, it could significantly alleviate the unemployment crisis.
Looking ahead, the government aims to intensify efforts to attract investments, with a focus on strategic areas that can generate employment opportunities. Dr. Kumah’s remarks underscore the government’s proactive approach to addressing the unemployment challenge and fostering economic growth through entrepreneurship and investment promotion initiatives.
