Ghana’s National Democratic Congress (NDC) recently unveiled an ambitious vision for the country’s economic future in its 2024 manifesto, centered around a significant infrastructure development agenda known as “The Big Push.” This policy framework aims not only to modernize and expand critical infrastructure but also to address Ghana’s urgent need for youth employment by creating thousands of jobs. With Ghana’s youth unemployment rate persistently high and urban migration on the rise, the infrastructure development plan offers a potential solution to these challenges by fostering job creation through large-scale infrastructure projects.
Under this policy, the NDC plans to invest in extensive infrastructure projects in education, health, roads, transportation, energy, technology, sectors with high potential for economic growth and the creation of new jobs. This approach draws on former President John Mahama’s track record of infrastructure-driven growth, especially during his administration from 2012 to 2016. Examining the Big Push’s potential impact on youth employment and economic growth, we can look to Mahama’s previous achievements, as well as case studies from other countries, to understand how infrastructure can serve as a catalyst for sustainable job creation. This article references relevant academic studies and international reports that underscore the role of infrastructure in economic development and job creation.
During John Mahama’s presidency, Ghana witnessed an unprecedented scale-up in infrastructure development that spanned roads, health facilities, education, and energy infrastructure. Key projects such as the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange, which transformed a congested traffic zone in Accra, not only created direct construction jobs but also enhanced economic connectivity by reducing travel times and costs for workers and traders alike. This kind of infrastructure investment provided jobs for thousands, including engineers, labourers, project managers, and local suppliers, marking a period of creating jobs for economic growth.
The Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF), a financing mechanism established under Mahama’s leadership, provided a strategic model for channeling investment into projects critical to the country’s development goals. According to the World Bank, each $1 billion spent on infrastructure can create up to 110,000 direct and indirect jobs in developing economies, an impact amplified by ancillary job creation in transportation, retail, and other related sectors (World Bank, 2018). Promising to invest $10 billion to implement a well-planned infrastructure policy, the NDC can leverage this multiplier effect, reducing unemployment and helping Ghana realize the Big Push’s objectives.
The African Development Bank (AfDB) notes that infrastructure projects typically stimulate job creation in two main ways: direct employment through construction and indirect employment via supply chains and service industries. Mahama’s administration exemplified this with various projects that involved local procurement of materials, thereby stimulating Ghanaian industries and creating a ripple effect of economic activity and employment (AfDB, 2019).
Evidence from other nations supports the idea that large-scale infrastructure projects can have transformative effects on job creation. Ethiopia’s Growth and Transformation Plan, for instance, prioritized infrastructure expansion, resulting in enhanced road networks, energy infrastructure, and telecommunications. Over a decade, Ethiopia’s economy grew at an average rate of 9.5%, driven largely by a surge in construction and service-sector jobs connected to these infrastructure investments (UNECA, 2020). In particular, the road and energy sectors in Ethiopia provided a massive boost to local employment, creating a foundation for manufacturing and service industries that have absorbed thousands of new workers.
Brazil, too, provides lessons in using infrastructure to drive job creation, especially in preparation for large-scale events such as the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympics. These events necessitated substantial investment in roads, stadiums, and public transport systems, employing tens of thousands of youth and leaving behind long-term infrastructure that continues to support Brazil’s economy. While these projects presented challenges, particularly in terms of sustainability, Ghana can learn from both the successes and limitations of Brazil’s experience. By emphasizing sustainable, long-term infrastructure that meets ongoing public needs, the NDC’s Big Push infrastructure development plan has the potential to avoid similar pitfalls and foster enduring employment benefits (World Economic Forum, 2021).
Infrastructure projects create significant employment opportunities by incorporating training for young people in critical skills such as construction, engineering, and project management. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), infrastructure projects that include skill-building components generate long-term employment benefits, as workers gain competencies that extend beyond the duration of individual projects (ILO, 2018). Integrating vocational training programs into infrastructure projects could ensure that Ghanaian youth are equipped with skills they can leverage even after a project ends, fostering a skilled workforce prepared for future roles in construction, management, and other high-demand fields.
Moreover, research by the McKinsey Global Institute underscores that countries with robust skill-building programs linked to infrastructure projects experience higher employment rates and more sustainable job creation. In countries with large youth populations, like Ghana, skill-building within infrastructure development can provide a crucial pathway to reducing unemployment (McKinsey Global Institute, 2017). The Big Push infrastructure initiative, by combining job creation with skills development, could thus play a pivotal role in equipping young Ghanaians with skills that are both marketable and future-ready.
A crucial component of the Big Push could involve public-private partnerships (PPPs), which allow the private sector to invest in and share expertise on public projects. PPPs not only expand the government’s financial capacity to fund large projects but also bring private sector efficiency and innovation into public infrastructure development. The World Economic Forum notes that PPPs in infrastructure projects often lead to steady employment growth, especially when they focus on sectors critical to youth employment, such as renewable energy and digital infrastructure (World Economic Forum, 2021).
The Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund established under Mahama’s administration illustrates how strategic partnerships with private investors can mobilize funds for infrastructure and maximize employment potential. PPPs can increase accountability, improve operational efficiencies, and ensure that projects are financially viable in the long term. For the Big Push, PPPs could bring in much-needed capital while also facilitating knowledge transfer, ensuring that Ghanaian workers are trained in modern construction techniques and management practices that meet international standards.
The infrastructure initiative offers a historic opportunity to not only develop infrastructure but also to tackle youth unemployment and build a more resilient economy. The experiences from Mahama’s first term, bolstered by international evidence, demonstrate that infrastructure development is a highly effective strategy for creating jobs across sectors, enhancing economic connectivity, and fostering skills among young people. Integrating public-private partnerships, vocational training, and skill development can evolve into a comprehensive employment strategy, equipping Ghanaian youth for a rapidly changing economy.
As Ghana continues to urbanize and its youth population expands, it is imperative to implement policies that yield sustainable, long-term employment. With the right investments, strategies, and partnerships, the NDC’s infrastructure development plan can set the foundation for an inclusive, future-ready workforce that drives Ghana’s economic growth for years to come.
Written by: Prince Kassim Senaya Alubankudi, MBA
Policy Analyst at UPDI Africa & International Business Consultant
