Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, widely known as Chairman Wontumi and the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has urged Ghanaian youth to rally behind Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia for the upcoming presidential election.

Wontumi asserts that electing Bawumia would lead to significant changes, including the ability for young people to enroll in universities using only their Ghana Cards and to secure jobs with monthly salaries of GHS 8,000 immediately upon graduation.“Dr Bawumia says that if you vote for him to become president, you should take your Ghana Card and attend university. Upon completion, there will be an immediate job available that pays GHS 8,000 a month,” Wontumi declared in a widely circulated video.During a recent address, Wontumi emphasized that a Bawumia presidency would simplify the process of accessing higher education through the national identification card. He also claimed that graduates would be guaranteed immediate employment with attractive salaries, with a repayment system allowing them to pay off their education costs in installments deducted from their salaries.

His statements have ignited considerable debate on social media, with many Ghanaians expressing skepticism and mocking the ambitious promises. Critics argue that the prospect of widespread, high-paying job opportunities seems unrealistic, particularly given the current economic difficulties in the country.

Unemployment is a pressing issue in Ghana, with numerous administrations struggling to generate enough job openings for graduates. A 2021 World Bank report noted that while over 110,000 young people graduate from universities each year, the lack of growth in sectors outside oil and minerals has contributed to rising graduate unemployment. According to data from the Ghana Statistical Service, as of the third quarter of 2023, approximately 2.06 million out of 12 million employed Ghanaians were jobless, translating to an unemployment rate of 14.7%.

Greater Accra has been particularly affected, showing an unemployment rate of 25.7%, meaning one in four people actively seeking work in the capital is unemployed. The Ashanti and Western regions also reported unemployment rates above 16%, while the Oti region recorded the lowest at 6.4%.

Gender disparities are evident as well, with 17.7% of economically active women unemployed compared to 10.9% of men.

The ambitious claims of immediate job placement and lucrative salaries have left many questioning the practicality of Wontumi's assertions, especially in light of the ongoing challenges of unemployment in the nation.