Prof. Ibrahim Zubairu, Professor of Accounting and Economics at Accra Technical University, has raised concerns about the credibility of unemployment and population statistics in Ghana, arguing that estimates should not be presented as exact figures.
Speaking in response to comments made in Parliament by Kojo Oppong Nkrumah on unemployment, Prof. Zubairu said economists and other experts can easily identify inconsistencies in some of the data released by state institutions.
He specifically questioned the methodology used by the Ghana Statistical Service in producing certain statistics.
“How many people have you actually counted before putting out these statistics?” he asked.
Prof. Zubairu emphasized that while estimates are useful for planning and policymaking, they should not be treated as absolute representations of reality.
“I challenge this kind of basis. If you are telling me it is estimated, then I don’t buy it. Estimation is different from real figures,” he stated.
“We can estimate to plan and make decisions towards reality, and that is okay. However, I disagree when estimates are treated as the actual situation,” he added.
Addressing youth unemployment, Prof. Zubairu argued that discussions on the issue should extend beyond graduates to include all categories of young people.
“When we talk about youth unemployment, we should include graduates, undergraduates, non-graduates, SHS leavers, university leavers, and everyone within the youth population. If we focus only on graduate unemployment, then we are making exclusions,” he explained.
He further noted that Ghana’s population and labour data systems remain fragmented, making it difficult to produce fully accurate national statistics.
Prof. Zubairu therefore called on the Ghana Statistical Service and other relevant state agencies to undertake a comprehensive labour census to strengthen data collection and identification systems.
“In Ghana, even with the Ghana Card system, identifying and capturing people accurately is still difficult. Our data system is weak,” he said.
He also expressed concerns about unemployment registration systems, arguing that many young people register at employment centres without adequate verification of their employment status.
“I know we may never have 100 percent accurate data, but there should be a certain acceptable level of validity,” he stressed.
On the role of the private sector, Prof. Zubairu said businesses must receive greater support because they remain the largest source of employment in the country.
According to him, limited access to financing remains one of the biggest challenges facing businesses and startups in Ghana.
“The way Bank of Ghana policies are structured does not make it easy for banks to provide loans to startups and SMEs to expand and employ more people,” he argued.
He added that commercial banks are often unfriendly to small businesses, making expansion and job creation difficult.
“There is no money for businesses to expand, so naturally they cannot employ,” he said.
Prof. Zubairu urged the government to create more economic opportunities through agriculture, mining, and other productive sectors to boost employment and increase state revenue.
“Agriculture can create jobs, generate revenue, and improve the economy at the same time,” he stated.
He also suggested that formalising and properly regulating the mining sector could help curb illegal mining activities, commonly known as galamsey.
“When people involved in galamsey are given proper opportunities and alternatives, they will move away from illegal mining,” he added.
Prof. Ibrahim Zubairu made these remarks during an appearance on Ahotor Adekyee Mu Nsem with Alexander Nana Dogbe in Lashibi on June 3, 2026.
Story by Stephen Kwaku Owusu Mintah.
