Madina Job Center in a 24-Hour economy – navigating prospects and challenges

A 24-hour economy is a system wherein businesses and services operate beyond traditional working times and capitalize on round-the-clock operations for increased productivity. In the dynamic landscape of a 24-hour economy, where time is of the essence, initiatives like the Madina Job Center will play a crucial role in shaping the future of Ghana’s Youth.

Founded by Francis-Xavier Sosu, Member of Parliament for Madina, the Madina Job Center stands as a beacon of hope, working tirelessly to alleviate poverty through access to quality jobs and skills development (SDG 1& 8). This social enterprise is deeply rooted in the fabric of the nation, and addresses the unique opportunities presented by a dynamic, non-stop economy.

During the last three years, Madina Job Center has successfully impacted and assisted over 5,000 young people in finding jobs across a variety of sectors by providing free job recruitment services and vocational skills and training.

In 2020, the job center registered approximately 9,500 unemployed persons through its official website (www.madinajobcenter.com). The free job recruitment services have not only connected job seekers with opportunities but have also contributed to reduction in youth unemployment rates within Madina constituency.

Madina Job Center in an era of 24-hour economy initiative: provision of skilled human resources

In a 24-hour economy, with the demand for skilled and motivated workers constant, the Madina Job Center serves as a bridge in connecting job seekers with potential employers, thereby, boosting productivity and fostering economic growth.

In addition, an economy that operates around the clock and encompasses various services such as 24-hour market services guarantee increased local trade at major marketplaces, and provides opportunities for food vendors to cater for persons around the clock, with available transportation services, logistics management services, as well as opportunities for day and night-time vocational apprenticeships to meet the increased demand, which is likely to guarantee at least 7,000 job opportunities through the Madina Job Center each year due to the Center’s increasing prominence and employment rates.

Spearheading of import substitution products

According to the Konfidants Made-In-Ghana Survey (2021), approximately 68percent of soaps and detergents, 85percent of biscuits and confectionaries, 72percent of beauty creams and oils, 95percent of ladles, 89percent of khebab sticks, and 96percent of processed meat, among others, are imported goods into the Ghanaian market.

Having launched agricultural programs such as women in mushroom farming, youth in dairy production, and youth in rabbits and poultry rearing, the Madina Job Center provides the best vehicle to boost agricultural productivity; ensure value addition; make agriculture attractive to our Youth; guarantee food security; increase our Gross Domestic Product (GDP); strengthen our currency; avoid cedi depreciation; attract foreign direct investment; retain foreign reserves through import substitution measures and export of manufactured products; and achieve sustainable economic growth and development in the short to medium term.

Fostering entrepreneurship for innovation and economic growth

Entrepreneurship is a key driver of innovation and economic growth, and vital for a 24-hour economy. The Madina Job Center has the capacity and potential to foster Entrepreneurship and serve as a hub for innovation and economic growth. Over the past three years, in partnership with various technical institutions and resource persons, the Madina Job Center has provided entrepreneurial vocational training to 925 individuals in Madina.

In order to meet the demands of a technologically advanced, round-the-clock economy, these skills span a variety of industries, including fashion design, hairdressing, computer hardware engineering, cold store, air conditioning and installation, graphic design, and IT skills.

The center’s focus on vocational and technical training for purposes of Entrepreneurship is consistent with current trends required and sought after in the labor market. By providing the Youth practical skills, the Madina Job Center contributes to the development of a more flexible and competitive workforce—a valuable asset for a rapidly evolving economy.

Challenges of Madina Job Center under a 24-Hour economy initiative

First, considering that the 24-hour policy has never been implemented in Ghana as an economic policy module on a wider scale, and with deliberate intent and focus like this policy suggests, the unpredictability of a 24-hour economy can be unsettling and intimidating for aspiring entrepreneurs.

The Madina Job Center therefore faces the challenge of instilling in the Youth the confidence and courage to be resilient to undertake and embrace the difficulties that come with operating a 24-hour economy. The Center will also be vital in supporting the Youth with various support services, technical expertise, networking and mentorship opportunities, and financial incentives, among others, to boost confidence, enhance productivity, and achieve sustainable economic growth.

Secondly, considering the twin challenges of unemployment and economic hardship currently endemic and which has led Ghana to solicit assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Center will play a critical role in connecting persons with requisite skills and competencies to available jobs. The Center will therefore face the challenge and test of connecting persons to jobs across various sectors and industries on a scale never seen before, as this is likely to lead to more than double the numbers and impact the Center has made in the past three years.

Also, the lack of availability of modern infrastructure with in-built internet services, and communications and technological infrastructure for the Center has the ability to threaten the smooth operation of the Center’s operations. The availability of a major Infrastructure for the operations of the Center can go a long way to address unemployment and provide vital skills acquisition for the Youth of not only Madina but Greater Accra Region, and beyond.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Madina Job Center has the potential to be a leading and foremost recruitment and vocational Center in a 24-hour economy, helping to tackle unemployment, providing skills acquisition, and addressing poverty by guaranteeing improved lives, through the realization of SDGs 1 and 8 which read No Poverty, and Decent Work and Economic Growth.

Also, it is clear from the Center’s achievements, potentials, and projected activities in a 24-hour economy that it can be a key implementation partner institution; as it continues to be a catalyst for positive change in the face of a constantly changing economic landscape.

The Center through a focused intervention, with geographic inclusivity, and a dedication to adaptability, guarantees that no one is left behind in the pursuit of sustainable employment, vocational training, and entrepreneurial success, thereby shaping the future of Ghana’s Youth.

>>>the writer is CEO, Madina Job Center, 2022 Mandela Washington Fellow, 2018 Queens Young Leader, 2018 Obama Leader and 2015 Young African Leader (YALI West Africa RLC)

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