Vice President and flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has laid out his vision for addressing critical issues plaguing the country’s young population.
In an address to Ghanaian youth at the newly inaugurated Youth Resource Centre in Koforidua, the Eastern Region, Dr. Bawumia indicated there was an urgent need to address the myriad challenges facing Ghanaian youth including rampant unemployment, exorbitant data costs hindering internet accessibility, among others.
Under the banner of “Youth Connect,” Dr. Bawumia outlined comprehensive plans to tackle youth unemployment, enhance access to quality education, and empower young Ghanaians for a prosperous future.
Positioning himself as a problem solver and generational thinker, he highlighted his track record as Vice President, underscoring his commitment to innovative solutions.
Central to his strategy is the pivotal role of digitisation in driving job creation and economic growth, aligning Ghana’s trajectory with that of developed nations.
Drawing parallels with tech giants like Amazon and Microsoft, he stressed the need for a robust private sector-led approach to job creation.
To achieve this, Bawumia emphasised the importance of addressing fundamental issues hindering private sector growth, such as the lack of a unique national identification system and functional address systems.
Highlighting his achievements in office, Bawumia showcased strides made in digitisation, including the implementation of a national identification system, mobile money interoperability, and access to credit.
He said these initiatives have laid the groundwork for a digital revolution, enabling entrepreneurs to thrive and creating avenues for sustainable job creation.
In that vein, he promised that his course ahead would feature the formalisation of the informal sector by registering informal businesses through digitisation in few minutes (USSD code, app, etc.) and facilitating access to credit for business expansion.
“We will empower the private sector to create modern, sustainable and well-paying jobs for the youth,” he said.
In the education sector, Dr. Bawumia touted the successful implementation of Free Senior High School (SHS) and vocational training programmes, significantly increasing enrolment and improving access to tertiary education.
Moreover, in the health sector, he highlighted innovations such as the electronic pharmacy platform and the use of drones for medical deliveries, enhancing healthcare accessibility nationwide.
Dr. Bawumia’s vision for the future encompasses a multifaceted approach, including formalising the informal sector, enhancing technical and vocational education, and fostering entrepreneurship.
“Collaborative efforts with the private sector and strategic interventions to reduce data costs and streamline bureaucratic processes underscores my commitment to youth empowerment,” he said.
Dr. Bawumia appealed to the youth to support his candidacy, promising a presidency marked by accountability, vision, and unwavering dedication to building a prosperous Ghana.
