The running mate of John Dramani Mahama for the 2020 elections has touted the achievement of former President Mahama in the improvement of the living conditions of the Ghanaian youth.
Speaking at a forum dubbed Youth with Jane: A conversation with Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang held in Accra to mark International Youth Day, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang stated that the NDC highly regards the youth of the country and has implemented policies that put the youth at the forefront of national development.
She pointed out that policies such as the National Youth Policy which was launched by Mr. Mahama when he was the vice president of Ghana some ten years ago is an indication that he “cares about the youth”.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang noted that the policy provided a comprehensive framework for the implementation of various programmes for youth development in Ghana.
Enumerating the achievements chalked through the policy, She said the various programmes such as the establishment of the Youth Agency, the Youth Enterprise Support Scheme among others which emanated from the policy are indications of the foresight of Mr. Mahama in improving the lives of the Ghanaian youth.
“This year marks exactly a decade that the then vice president John Dramani Mahama launched the National Youth Policy. So when we are talking about the youth, who cares about the youth? You have the facts, let’s stay with the facts,” she said.
While urging the youth to take interest in national decision making, she recounted the backlash from a section of the public that greeted the appointment of young people like Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa into government under the Mills’ administration stating the appointment is a demonstration that the NDC is interested in involving the youth in national decision making and is resolved to ensure their development.
“The NDC has always had a high regard for the youth of this country and we know that it is out of the youth that we will get our leaders. You remember what the late Prof. Mills did. He brought all these young people into top positions. Remember the backlash he got? Today, see where they are? So who is interested in factoring the voice of the youth into politics making? The evidence is there to see. And the decision is yours to make.”
Acknowledging the creativity and Innovation of the Ghanaian youth, she bemoaned the lack of patronage for local products. She stressed the need to consume local goods in order to create jobs for the teaming youth of the country.
Touching on the NDC’S future policy for the youth, she said the 10 billion accelerated infrastructural plan dubbed the ‘Big Push’ announced by the party’s flagbearer would provide jobs for the young people of Ghana.
