Dr. Mathew Opoku Prempeh, the Vice Presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in Ghana, has attributed the rising unemployment rates in the country to the tenure of former President John Dramani Mahama. He asserts that during Mahama’s eight years in power, first as Vice President and then as President from 2008 to 2016, he failed to implement effective policies or programs designed to generate employment opportunities for Ghana’s youth, leading to increased frustration among young people. In a recent speech aimed at rallying support from party members during a campaign tour of the Offinso South Constituency, Dr. Prempeh critiqued Mahama’s approach, suggesting that he has turned to propaganda in his political campaigns rather than providing constructive solutions.
Dr. Prempeh underscored that the Ghanaian populace is acutely aware of the employment landscape during Mahama’s administration under the National Democratic Congress (NDC). He argued that had the NDC government prioritized job creation as a core issue, Ghana would not be facing the current high unemployment rates. This remark underscores the continued rivalry between the NPP and NDC, as both parties seek to assert their records on economic management and employment generation. Dr. Prempeh’s statements suggest a broader narrative in which the NPP positions itself as the viable alternative, emphasizing its commitment to job creation over the previous NDC administration’s perceived failures.
Highlighting the achievements of the NPP government under President Akufo Addo since 2017, Dr. Prempeh claimed that approximately 2.3 million jobs had been created for the youth. In addition, he noted significant advancements in agriculture, particularly cocoa production, where market prices rose from GHc 475.00 in 2016 to GHc 3,000.00. This increase in cocoa prices is seen as an encouragement for young people to engage in agricultural ventures, which Dr. Prempeh views as a critical area for job creation. His acknowledgment of agriculture as a key sector reflects the NPP’s strategy to leverage natural resource management for economic empowerment.
In discussing further initiatives, Dr. Prempeh elaborated on the Agenda 111 Hospitals initiative and the expansion of the educational sector as mechanisms designed to foster employment opportunities. He argued that these projects not only enhance healthcare and education but also create direct and indirect jobs across various sectors. This entrepreneurial approach to governance emphasizes how infrastructure development can support broader economic goals while addressing immediate employment needs for the youth.
Dr. Prempeh has called upon Ghanaian citizens to remain vigilant against what he labeled the “propaganda and lies” propagated by the NDC, encouraging a continued commitment to the NPP’s platform. He emphasized the party’s ongoing focus on improving education, healthcare, infrastructure, and job creation—areas he believes are critical to national progress. This plea for support serves as both a rallying cry for party unity and an engagement strategy aimed at convincing undecided voters of the NPP’s efficacy in bringing about change in their lives.
In conclusion, Dr. Mathew Opoku Prempeh’s framing of the unemployment crisis within Ghana as a direct consequence of Mahama’s time in office reflects a broader political strategy designed to steer public opinion. His insistence on the NPP’s achievements in job creation and socio-economic development underscores a commitment to continue these initiatives should they retain power. As Ghana approaches the next election cycle, the stark contrast between the NPP and NDC narratives will shape the discourse around economic policies and government accountability, significantly influencing voter sentiment and political engagement in the country.
