The Centre for Policy Scrutiny (CPS) has revealed that 490,000 jobs promised under the government's 'Big Push' initiative lack verifiable data. This policy think tank states the government has not provided reliable evidence to confirm these jobs were created. The commitment was made two years ago, raising questions about the programme's effectiveness.
Dr. Prince Adjei, a labour economist at the CPS, highlighted this issue during the CPS’s 2026 Mid-Year Budget Review on Tuesday, July 28, 2026. He noted that while the government introduced several employment programmes, concrete figures on actual job creation are unavailable. The CPS assessed 87 projects under the Big Push, finding only 28 had reached more than 25% completion. The remaining 59 projects showed progress below 25%.
This lack of verification fits into a broader narrative of data transparency challenges in Ghana's economic reporting. Accurate job creation figures are crucial for assessing the impact of government spending and policy interventions on the economy. Ghana's unemployment rate, particularly among youth, remains a significant concern, making reliable employment data essential for policymakers and citizens alike. Previous government initiatives have also faced scrutiny over their reported outcomes versus actual impact.
Dr. Adjei emphasized that the government must implement clear measures to determine if its employment programmes are delivering promised results. He stressed the need to differentiate between permanent, temporary, and indirect jobs, and to track job sustainability over time. He cautioned that project commencement or progress does not automatically equate to job creation, urging a shift from reporting allocated funds to measurable employment outcomes.
The CPS is calling for a transparent system, including a programme register and a real-time database or dashboard, to track job creation. This system would provide regular updates on the number and type of jobs generated by government projects. Such a system would enhance accountability and allow for better evaluation of public funds spent on employment initiatives.
The think tank also questioned job figures for major projects, such as the proposed Accra-Kumasi Expressway, which the government projected would create about 80,000 jobs. Dr. Adjei pointed out that this expressway project is still in its preparatory phase, with work focused on clearing the right of way. He concluded there is insufficient information to establish its current employment impact.
Other government initiatives, including agricultural enclave roads, garment factories, agro-processing facilities, and apprenticeship programmes, also lack sufficient evidence of job creation. The CPS's findings suggest a systemic issue in how employment data is collected and reported across various government sectors. This situation could undermine public trust in government statistics and policy effectiveness.
Moving forward, decision-makers and markets will closely watch for the government's response to these findings. Increased transparency in job creation data could bolster investor confidence and improve the effectiveness of future employment policies. The call for a robust, verifiable tracking system for jobs created by public projects is a critical step towards better economic governance in Ghana.