The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has unveiled a comprehensive youth development agenda spearheaded by former President John Dramani Mahama, who aims to establish a dedicated Ministry of Youth Development. This ministry will serve as a crucial institution for mainstreaming and coordinating youth policies, programs, and initiatives across various levels of governance. The NDC’s focus will include promoting youth-friendly local content policies in vital sectors like energy, mining, telecommunications, and manufacturing. Mahama emphasized the importance of investing in education and skills development, proposing a framework that not only aims to foster entrepreneurship but also seeks to empower the youth to contribute significantly to nation-building and their personal development.
Central to the youth agenda is the implementation of the National Youth Authority Act of 2016, aimed at enhancing the representation of young people in decision-making processes from the local to the national level. To achieve this, the NDC will enact a Legislative Instrument to facilitate the creation of District and Regional Youth Committees along with the Ghana Youth Federation. This strategic move is intended to ensure active youth participation in addressing socio-economic challenges, including unemployment, skills development, health issues, and substance abuse. Additionally, Mahama plans to professionalize youth work and establish Neighborhood Development Brigades composed of volunteers to harness the talents and energy of young people in community development initiatives.
The comprehensive youth development agenda has a strong entrepreneurial focus, with plans for job creation and a “24-hour economy” that encourages continuous innovation and business opportunities. The NDC intends to partner with the private sector to launch the Youth Innovation and Industrial Parks (YIIP) initiative, designed to support young entrepreneurs at the district level. This initiative will provide essential resources such as co-working spaces and business startup services, aiding youth to easily navigate compliance with regulations and access crucial support from various service departments. By stimulating market development for products created by young entrepreneurs, the NDC aims to empower youth and bolster economic growth within local communities.
Mahama recognizes the challenges facing Ghanaian youth, who are often met with an unjust education system, unemployment, and underemployment, which exacerbate poverty and mental health issues. Addressing these problems is a priority for the NDC; Mahama has pledged to invest significantly in digital infrastructure to enhance access to digital literacy and skills training. This will include promoting healthy behaviors and encouraging political and social engagement among the youth. The proposed “Adwumawura Programme” seeks to nurture young entrepreneurial talent by creating, tracking, and mentoring over 10,000 youth-led businesses annually within the framework of the 24-Hour Economy initiative.
In line with bolstering youth entrepreneurship, the NDC plans to establish a comprehensive credit system tailored specifically for young business owners. This system will assist youth in accessing needed financial resources through a robust database of youth-run businesses, providing advisory services, support for marketplace access, and facilitating soft loans and grants. Mahama also proposed the creation of a Young Entrepreneurs Microcredit Institution with a substantial seed fund allocated for affordable loan disbursement aimed at fostering business growth among the youth. This financial support is envisioned as part of a broader strategy to create a conducive environment for young individuals to thrive as entrepreneurs.
Finally, Mahama’s administration will seek to implement programs that encourage graduates of tertiary institutions to form cooperatives, enabling them to competitively bid for both public and private contracts. Skills training programs are also slated to be a vital component of the youth agenda, along with provision of startup kits for emerging artisans. Mahama called for widespread support for himself and the NDC Parliamentary candidates as part of this transformative vision for youth development. By strategically addressing the barriers young people face, the forthcoming NDC government pledges to promote a brighter future for Ghana’s youth through empowerment, economic participation, and community involvement.
