We’ll prioritise job creation - Mahama assures Upper East Youth
The flag bearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has pledged to prioritise job creation when he is re-elected on December 7, 2024.
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He said while his administration would invest in infrastructural development to bridge existing gaps, job creation would be the topmost priority. "We will do the roads, we'll continue with the hospitals, we'll build the schools.
But more than ever before, we must do things that will provide opportunities for our young people to get employment and look after themselves," Mr Mahama has said.
He was addressing journalists at Bolgatanga yesterday to conclude his Upper East Regional campaign tour in the Upper East Region.
"This narrative must change.
We need to provide jobs for our young people to prevent them from becoming a time bomb. We've seen what's happening in Kenya and Nigeria, and we must fetch water and put it by our beard before our young people engage in civil unrest," Mr Mahama warned.
24-hour economy
To address this, Mr Mahama said the next NDC government would introduce the much-talked-about 24-hour economic policy, which would incentivise businesses to work longer hours and create more jobs.
"This is a simple thing. Businesses all over Ghana can work longer hours than the usual eight hours a day. We'll give incentives to businesses to work for longer hours, just like it's happening in other places," Mr Mahama explained.
He said his commitment to job creation should resonate with young people in the country who were eager for meaningful work and a brighter future.
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Farmer Service Centres
He said the NDC’s vision for the agricultural sector was to create a more sustainable and equitable system where farmers were empowered to produce and sell their products at a fair price.
"We need to make sure that our farmers are getting a fair deal. That's why we're introducing the Farmer Service Centres and the Agroprocessing Centres.
We want to provide a one-stop shop for farmers, where they can get all the support they need, from seeds and fertilisers to tractors and extension services," he said.
Mr Mahama also emphasised the importance of adding value to agricultural products, especially rice, which was grown in abundance in the Builsa area.
Security
Mr Mahama also vowed to restore Ghana's relationship with neighbouring countries, particularly Burkina Faso, to improve regional integration.
“The whole terrorism strategy of this sub-region was done in Accra. It's called the Accra Initiative. We are the host of that initiative and we must be reaching out to them to see how we can collaborate with them to quench the fire in their houses,” he said.
Witchcraft
Touching on the vexing issue of witchcraft and its associated human rights issues, Mr Mahama noted that there was some correlation between poverty and witchcraft accusations.
“But let it be clear, there is no such thing as witchcraft. None of your mothers are responsible for your poverty. These old women are struggling just like you. They're not behind your misfortunes,” he said.