Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Gideon Nicholas Day
Published on 2024-02-22 08:04:20
The GSS (Ghana Statistical Service) report released concerning labor force statistics is alarming. According to the report, a significant number of individuals shifted from employment to unemployment status between the fourth quarter of 2022 and the first quarter of 2023. Out of the 530,000 individuals affected, more than half, approximately 280,000, remained unemployed in the second quarter of 2023. This trend continued as around 160,000 people transitioned from employed to unemployed status between the second and third quarters of 2023.
The report also highlighted that, on average, 240,000 individuals were unemployed over the first three quarters of 2023. However, there was a glimmer of hope as approximately 60,000 individuals who were unemployed in the second quarter of 2023 managed to secure employment in the third quarter. The report emphasized the need for interventions and strategies to address the evolving challenges faced by the workforce in Ghana.
Another concerning aspect of the report was the movement of individuals from outside the labor force to unemployment status. Among the 540,000 individuals who made this transition between the fourth quarter of 2022 and the first quarter of 2023, around three in every four remained unemployed in the second quarter of 2023. Additionally, approximately 130,000 persons moved from outside the labor force to unemployment status between the second and third quarters of 2023.
The AHIES (Annual Household and Income Expenditure Survey) Labor Force Bulletin, which provides quarterly labor force statistics for the population aged 15 and older, is an essential source of information in Ghana. The data is generated from the 2022 and 2023 AHIES surveys and offers insights into various aspects, including mobilities across labor force statuses, unemployment spells, yearly and quarterly changes in employment and unemployment rates, and other labor statistics.
Recognizing the importance of this data, the report serves as a critical tool for policy and planning in alignment with Ghana’s national development agendas for the labor force. The alarming trends in unemployment underscore the need for targeted interventions and strategies as Ghana addresses the challenges faced by its workforce.
In conclusion, the GSS report has drawn attention to the concerning trends in unemployment in Ghana. It is crucial for policymakers and stakeholders to take into account the data and insights provided in the report to develop and implement effective strategies to address the evolving challenges faced by the workforce and to promote sustainable employment in the country.
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