The Coalition of Unemployed Graduates of Ghana (CUGG) has called on the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia government to take immediate and decisive action to address the graduate unemployment crisis in the country.

CUGG is appalled by the government's inaction on graduate unemployment, betraying the NPP's campaign pledges and leaving young graduates in economic limbo.

The coalition also criticised the Nation Builders Corps (NABCO) initiative, which was meant to offer temporary employment and skills training for graduates, but has fallen short of its promise to secure permanent jobs for its participants, leaving them in a state of uncertainty.

"We demand transparency and accountability regarding the implementation and outcomes of NABCO, Planting for Food and Jobs, and 1D1F. The government must provide a clear and actionable plan to create
sustainable employment opportunities for our graduates," CUGG coordinator, Kwaku Prince Asare said in a statement release on Monday July 22, 2024.

The statement said that the NPP has reneged on its promises and failed to tackle the unemployment crisis, but the Coalition is willing to support any credible effort that identifies the underlying issues and implements effective policies to create lasting job opportunities for all Ghanaians.

"We are committed to addressing the critical issue of graduate unemployment and implementing effective, sustainable policies that will drive economic growth and build a prosperous future for our nation. Our vision is to build a thriving economy where every graduate has the opportunity to succeed," Kwaku said.

Mr Asare accused the Akufo-Addo and Bawumia-led NPP government for being dishonest to Ghana's youth, urging that it's time for a change in leadership.

"The Coalition of Unemployed Graduates of Ghana calls on all Ghanaians to join us in our mission to create a better future for our graduates and our nation. Together, we can build a thriving economy that works for everyone," the release added.

He noted that the promise to address graduate unemployment was a key campaign plank that won Akufo-Addo the election, but the government has failed to deliver on its vow to create a vibrant job market and strong economy, instead leaving voters with unfulfilled expectations.

Earlier this year, the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) released its quarterly labour force statistics bulletin for the first three quarters of 2023, which provided insights into the nation's employment landscape.

A staggering 22.3% of individuals who were unemployed for over 20 months between first quarter 2022 and third quarter 2023 held tertiary education qualifications, according to the Ghana Statistical Service's report.

The statement highlighted the struggles of educated Ghanaians in finding employment, despite their advanced qualifications.