Former President John Dramani Mahama, the flagbearer of Ghana’s National Democratic Congress (NDC), has reaffirmed the party’s commitment to addressing youth unemployment as a top priority.
In his recent address at Assin North during his Central Regional tour, Mahama highlighted the NDC’s 24-Hour Economy policy, which he believes will be a transformative approach to job creation if the party secures victory in the 2024 elections.
Explaining the vision behind the 24-Hour Economy, Mr. Mahama stated that this initiative is designed to enable round-the-clock economic activities, which will, in turn, expand employment opportunities across multiple sectors.
To ensure the success of this ambitious program, John Mahama emphasized the need for heightened security, pledging that an NDC administration would recruit 25,000 young people into the police service.
“Operating a 24-hour economy demands a strong security presence to protect businesses and individuals,” he said. “This is why we plan to bolster the police force, creating a new wave of employment for the youth while enhancing public safety.”
In addition to expanding the police force, John Mahama underscored the importance of accessible entry points into various sectors for young people with vocational skills.
He assured that under the NDC’s leadership, individuals holding vocational and NVTI (National Vocational Training Institute) certificates will be eligible to join the security services, widening opportunities for skilled workers to contribute meaningfully to the country’s security needs.
John Mahama also introduced the NDC’s “Adwuma Wura” policy, an initiative aimed at systematically reducing the youth unemployment rate by creating 10,000 jobs annually.
Through this policy, he hopes to empower young people to build sustainable careers and contribute to the nation’s economic growth.
Addressing another issue that resonates with Ghana’s youth, John Mahama pledged to eliminate the current 10% betting tax.
He acknowledged that for many young people, betting has become a means to generate income in the absence of stable job opportunities.
“It’s surprising that the government taxes an activity that young people resort to out of necessity, not luxury,” Mr. Mahama remarked, hinting at his intent to alleviate financial burdens on young Ghanaians by removing this tax.
John Mahama believes the NDC is focused on job creation, economic empowerment, and practical solutions to reduce unemployment.
Story by: Emmanuel Romeo Tetteh (#RomeoWrites✍️) / Ahotoronline.com | Ghana 🇬🇭
