Economist Samson Onomah has asserted that the current surge in commercial sex activities—often referred to as ‘hookup activities’—is a direct consequence of the widespread unavailability of sustainable employment for the nation’s youth.
Mr. Onomah stated that numerous young individuals are resorting to commercial sex as a survival mechanism, feeling they have no reasonable hope of securing formal employment.
The economist made these critical remarks during an interview on Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM.
His comments were a direct response to the government’s recent claim that it lacks the resources to employ an estimated 145,000 graduate teachers and health professionals.
Mr. Onomah maintained that the current administration has no justifiable basis to claim an inability to make provisions for employing these graduates, dismissing the government’s statement as “needless.”
”You promised the people jobs in 2024, just like you did in 2020, and barely a year in office, you are giving excuses. I think the government can get the money if it has the political will to employ the graduates,” he stated.
The economist underscored that the consequences of unemployment must be addressed urgently, warning that the increase in commercial sex activities will inevitably escalate the rate of infectious diseases in the country.
He also claimed that the inability to effectively tackle illegal mining activities (galamsey) is rooted in the lack of viable job alternatives.
”The surge in commercial sex activities has increased astronomically. These social effects are alarming because they will definitely increase infectious and sexually transmitted infections. Armed robbery and illegal mining activities have all increased because many of those who engage in these acts believe that is their only source of survival.”
Samson Onomah argued that the government still has the fiscal capacity to make budgetary room for the employment of these essential workers, even while adhering to the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) conditionalities.
When asked for a solution to the ongoing crisis, Mr. Onomah offered both a medium-term and a long-term approach: “The government should make budgetary allocations to employ the graduates in batches, recognising that the number of unemployed professionals will continue to grow. Authorities must create an enabling environment for the private sector to thrive so that it can absorb some of these graduates and professionals.”
Credit: Rainbowradioonline
