The Minister of Labour, Jobs and Employment, Dr Abdul-Rashid Hassan Pelpuo, has lauded young Ghanaian entrepreneurs for their innovation and commitment to national development, urging them to create opportunities rather than rely solely on government for employment.
He said the country’s unemployment challenge could not be solved by government alone, hence the need for individuals and the private sector to think creatively and take bold steps towards sustainable job creation.
Dr Pelpuo made the call in Accra at the commissioning of a new office of El-Sayus Company Limited, a professional scientific cleaning and facilities management firm, under the theme “Amplifying the 24-Hour Sustainable Jobs and Employment through Modern Professional Sanitation Programme.”
The Minister explained that although government currently employs fewer than one million people out of Ghana’s 35 million population, that small workforce consumes nearly half of the country’s internal revenue.
Engaging all qualified teachers, nurses, and other public sector workers, he said, would push that figure to about 65 percent of domestic revenue, an indication that government employment alone was unsustainable.
Dr Pelpuo commended the leadership of El-Sayus for its commitment to creating jobs and improving environmental cleanliness, describing its Chief Executive Officer, Mr Archibald Darko-Boateng, as a model for Ghanaian youth.
He also urged young people to emulate such examples by serving the nation selflessly, avoiding corruption, and using their talents to build a better future.
“We must commit ourselves to the service of this nation. Ghana should not be seen as a place to take from, but a place to build. Whether you are NDC or NPP, you have a responsibility to keep the faith and show love for this country,” he said.
Mr Darko-Boateng in his remarks said El-Sayus operates within the professional scientific cleaning and property management sector, combining modern technology with sustainable methodologies to enhance efficiency and expertise.
The company, he added, is certified by the International Sanitary Supply Association (ISSA), Cleaning Industry Management Systems (CIMS), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Contract Cleaners Association of Ghana.
“Our goal is to elevate environmental cleanliness while creating meaningful jobs and career pathways for Ghanaians,” he said.
Mr Darko-Boateng in his remarks said El-Sayus serves both corporate and domestic clients, including government institutions, educational and financial organisations, real estate developers, and religious bodies.
With more than 700 employees nationwide, he said El-Sayus plans to double its workforce by 2027 and triple it by 2030. Beyond business, it has contributed to national development through community cleanups, construction of a lecture hall for the Police Band Academy, a restroom facility for the Kukurantumi Presbyterian community, and renovation of Awudome 1 and 3 JHS among others.
Mr Darko-Boateng said his journey to leadership was guided by faith, discipline, and a desire to build upon his father’s legacy.
“Thinking of the environment and how to create sustainable jobs and change livelihoods, I decided to take it to the next level by combining modernisation with experience,” he noted.