Ghana youths reject bags of rice from lawmaker, say we need jobs

It is a norm for African politicians to try and buy the support of their electorates with items, most especially food. But when this Ghanian politician tried to persuade some unemployed youths of Busunu, in the Savannah Region of Ghana, they rejected his rice gift protested over joblessness plaguing them in the area.

In a video which has since gone viral, the young men can be seen returning bags of rice which was sent to the community as ‘gifts’.

They can be seen throwing the rice bags back into the white Hilux van which came to deliver the items on Sunday.

“We need jobs, we need jobs” are some of the chants they made as they packed the rice back into the truck.

Local media, Zaaradio reports that the youths were protesting against Member of Parliament, Samuel Abu Jinapor who promised them jobs during his electioneering campaign.

However, seven months after the elections, the politician has failed to deliver the jobs he promised instead he tried to persuade them with ‘gifts’.

Local reports say, the angry youths destroyed most of the rice and returned the rest to the representatives of the lawmaker who came to deliver the items.

Who is Samuel Abu Jinapor?

Samuel Abu Jinapor is a lawyer by profession.

He entered Parliament for the first time after the 2020 elections when he defeated the NDC candidate, Adam Mutawakilu.

Prior to becoming Member of Parliament, he served as Deputy Chief of Staff to President Akufo-Addo during his first term from 2017 to 2020.

He currently serves as Minister for Lands and Natural Resources in the second term of President Akufo-Addo’s government.

One of his main responsibilities as minister is to lead the fight against illegal mining which is a major issue the current Government wants to resolve due to the pollution to land and water bodies.