Government’s responsibility is not to create jobs, but to create an environment conducive for businesses to grow, President John Dramani Mahama has said.

According to him, the rate at which unemployed graduates continue to depend on government for jobs is worrying, as the private sector is the largest employer currently and not the government.

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He said: “Government is not the biggest employer. Private sector is the biggest employer. Total people on government payroll is 600,000 people. And yet the orientation of all our students when they come out of school is that government should provide me with employment.”

“Government’s responsibility is one to build the economy and make it stable so that the private sector can grow and provide those jobs...Government must provide the small and medium enterprise sector because that is the actual driver of growth,” Mr John Mahama added.

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Candidates who participated in the Presidential Debate were; John Dramani Mahama of the NDC, Ivor Greenstreet of the CPP, Dr. Edward Mahama of the PNC, Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom of the PPP, and Independent presidential candidate, Jacob Osei Yeboah.

The flagbearer of the largest opposition party Nana Akufo-Addo NPP and National Democratic Party (NDP)'s Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings were, however, missing in action.

The debate was held at the Banquet Hall of the State House and was moderated by Dan Afari Yeboah of “What do You Know" fame and Mrs. Selikem Acolatse Apaloo.