Ghanaian Twitter users have vented their spleen after the Minister of Finance Ken Ofori-Atta said the government’s payroll is full and that the youth must venture into entrepreneurship to boost the economy.
He made this statement over the weekend while addressing the 2021 graduating class of the University of Professional Studies-Accra (UPSA).
Mr Ofori-Atta said the role of the government is to create the enabling environment and establish micro-stability for business in the country adding that 60% of the government’s revenue is used to pay 650,000 Ghanaians.
“The future for you in regard to jobs is the most important thing for you at this stage, and we have gone through a period when most people look for a job from government or state institutions, but that payroll is full,” he stated.
“I can tell you that because we are spending about 60 percent of our revenue on remunerating some 650,000 people, and that is not sustainable,” he added.
Right after the video of his speech hit Twitter, many users expressed their disappointment in him and the government.
Majority of the people who chastised him believe it government’s duty to create jobs or offer financial support for entrepreneurs and young graduates.
“This comment from the finance minister is creating hate for the government. Insulting graduates directly in their faces. God have mercy,” a Twitter user said.
“How can someone who just finished university create business? How many businesses have those who have received good salaries being able to create? Entrepreneurship is good but a graduate may lack the know how to create businesses except he/she has got enough exposure,” another user said.
See below reactions of Twitter.
