The 2022 Annual Household Income and Expenditure Survey (AHIES) conducted by the Ghana Statistical Service has brought to light some concerning revelations about the employment landscape in the country. According to the report, a staggering number of Ghanaians faced unemployment between the first and second quarters of 2022.
In the first quarter (Q1) of 2022, approximately 13.4% of the working-age population was unemployed. This figure saw a slight increase to 13.9% in the second quarter (Q2) of the same year, signifying a growing challenge in the job market.
The most alarming statistic from the report is that nearly 850,000 individuals aged 15 and above, who were gainfully employed in Q1, found themselves grappling with unemployment in Q2. This massive loss of jobs is a significant cause for concern, as it points to a decline in employment opportunities during that period.
Conversely, the report also highlighted a positive trend where more than 500,000 previously unemployed individuals secured employment between Q1 and Q2, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the job market’s challenges.
The survey delved deeper into gender disparities in employment and unearthed a shocking unadjusted gender pay gap. In Q1, males were reported to earn a mean hourly pay of GH¢11.00, whereas females earned GH¢6.90 for the same period. This substantial pay gap emphasizes the urgent need for gender-sensitive employment policies and initiatives aimed at achieving pay equity.
The findings from the AHIES report shed light on the complex dynamics of unemployment in Ghana, prompting calls for comprehensive measures to address the issue. Policymakers, economists, and advocates are now grappling with the task of devising strategies to bolster job creation, reduce unemployment rates, and bridge the gender pay gap.
