Fumbisi, August 12, 2024 – John Dramani Mahama, the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has vowed to make job creation a top priority if elected in the upcoming December polls. Speaking during a stakeholders’ engagement in Fumbisi, Mahama emphasized that tackling the high rate of youth unemployment is essential for Ghana’s development.
While recognizing the importance of infrastructure development, Mahama underscored that his administration’s primary focus will be on creating employment opportunities. He introduced his proposed 24-hour economy policy, designed to encourage businesses to extend their operating hours, thereby generating more jobs.
The 24-hour economy policy aims to incentivize businesses to add additional shifts, which Mahama believes will lead to increased employment. He cited a potential example involving a pharmaceutical factory, where government support in purchasing locally produced drugs could prompt the factory to expand shifts and hire more workers.
“This policy will create significant job opportunities for our youth. We want to encourage businesses to operate beyond the usual eight-hour workday,” Mahama explained. “In other countries, similar 24-hour economy programs have successfully led to job creation through extended business hours.”
Mahama’s plan includes government purchasing locally produced pharmaceuticals to support the industry and stimulate job growth. “By buying drugs from Ghanaian factories, we can help these businesses add shifts and increase employment,” he stated.
Emphasizing the importance of job creation, Mahama declared, “Jobs, jobs, jobs must be the priority for everybody, and that is the priority for the next NDC government. While we will continue to invest in infrastructure, our main focus will be on initiatives that directly create employment for young people.”
The former President’s commitment to addressing youth unemployment through innovative economic policies highlights a key issue in his campaign as he seeks to secure support in the upcoming elections.
