Former President John Dramani Mahama has unveiled the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Youth Manifesto, outlining visions for empowering Ghanaian youth through digital skills, job creation, and innovative economic policies.
Mr Mahama described the Manifesto as the blueprint for the Party’s commitment to empowering the youth of Ghana and also to unlocking their potential for sustainable development, stressing the transformative power of digital technologies in shaping the future, aligning it with the international theme, “From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development.”
He reiterated his administration’s commitment to equipping young Ghanaians with digital skills, including coding, and supporting digital start-ups and incubation hubs.
“We envision a future where every young Ghanaian has the opportunity to thrive in the digital age,” Mr Mahama stated. “We are committed to training one million young Ghanaians in coding and investing US$3 billion, in partnership with the private sector, to build a vibrant technology and FINTECH industry that will create jobs and boost economic growth.”
The former president also introduced the 24-Hour Economy policy, set to be implemented in 2025 if the NDC should gain political power. The policy is aimed at opening new job markets, fostering entrepreneurship, and driving innovation by creating environments for businesses and government institutions to operate around the clock.
“This policy is a game-changer that will open new job markets and lay the foundation for a prosperous future for all Ghanaians,” Mr Mahama said. He further explained that the policy would create job opportunities by splitting one job across three shifts, thereby employing three people instead of one.
Beyond digital empowerment, Mr Mahama cited key initiatives in the NDC Youth Manifesto, including increased access to quality education, affordable healthcare, and job creation programs. He made a reaffirmation to his long-standing commitment to youth development, tracing his efforts back to the launch of Ghana’s first National Youth Policy in 2010 during his tenure as Vice President.
Mr Mahama attributed the challenges facing the youth to mismanagement, corruption, and poor governance under the current administration. He described these as the factors contributing to rising unemployment and economic hardship, criticizing the government’s handling of the banking sector cleanup, which he said had worsened the unemployment rate, and called for a “Reset Ghana” vision to tackle them.
“Ghana is experiencing extraordinary hardships, and the youth are choking under the yoke of these hardships. The 24-hour economy initiative is the best and most extraordinary pathway to generating the decent and well-paying jobs you need; the jobs you have been waiting for.”
The Former President also called on Ghanaian youth to dream big and strive for greatness, positioning them as the driving force behind sustainable development. He invited them to partner with him and his running mate, Professor Naana Jane Opoku Agyemang, in a shared commitment to restoring the nation’s potential for future generations.
“My young Ghanaians, dare to dream and dare to achieve. You are the catalysts for positive change, and through your inspiring actions and determination, we can bring about the transformative change that our world desperately needs.”
