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The Minister-Designate for Labour, Jobs, and Employment, Rashid Pelpuo, has refuted claims that he advised Ghanaian graduates to cut grass and sell as a means of addressing unemployment. He insists that his comments were misquoted and taken out of context.
During his vetting before Parliament’s Appointments Committee, Mr. Pelpuo clarified that his statement was intended to encourage self-sufficiency and entrepreneurship among the youth, rather than suggesting that cutting grass or gathering stones was the solution to unemployment.
The controversy stems from reports dating back to 2020, in which Mr. Pelpuo allegedly advised unemployed youth to explore alternative ways of making a living, including gathering stones for construction or selling grass for livestock feed. He reportedly emphasized that success in life does not always require formal education but rather a shift in mindset and a determined attitude.
However, during his parliamentary vetting, he explained that his remarks were meant to inspire young people to identify opportunities within their communities and create sustainable livelihoods, rather than rely solely on government jobs.
“I know what I was talking about, and when I realized that people were misunderstanding and misusing it, I started looking for the full tape to play so people could see what I was talking about,” Mr. Pelpuo said.
He further clarified that he was quoting an example to highlight the importance of practical skills and entrepreneurship.
“If you are a nurse and you have a skill, you are better off. If you go into a community and there are no nurses, you can start something on your own,” he explained.
He added that identifying and meeting community needs—such as supplying goods in high demand—can be a viable employment opportunity.
“It was a basic example I was citing. It is to give perspective to the Ghanaian workforce so we can find within ourselves the capacity and the means to earn a living,” Mr. Pelpuo reiterated.
His clarification comes amid ongoing national discussions on unemployment, with many Ghanaians calling for more concrete policies to address job creation and economic opportunities for the youth.
