Spokesperson on Youth Development for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Dr. Sammy Ayeh has criticized the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government for borrowing more money than any other administration, yet failing to implement effective measures to create jobs for the youth.
According to Dr. Ayeh, the country’s unemployment rate has surged to a staggering 14.7% under this current administration.
Speaking on the Happy Morning Show with Kwadwo Safah-Danquah, Dr. Ayeh noted that the frustration among the Gen Z demographic has led to more than four demonstrations over the past two years.
He highlighted the achievements of former President John Dramani Mahama, emphasizing that his administration’s substantial investment in infrastructure resulted in numerous job opportunities for the youth. He cited projects such as the Ridge Hospital, the expansion of the Tema Port and secondary schools, the construction of E-blocks, and the development of Terminal Three at the Kotoka International Airport.
Dr. Ayeh further stated that Mr. Mahama has pledged to address youth challenges by introducing a 24-hour economy, a strategic policy aimed at boosting productivity and creating jobs for Ghanaians.
He praised this as an intelligent and forward-thinking initiative, noting that similar policies have been successfully implemented in countries like the USA, England, and France.
Additionally, he mentioned that one of the major concerns for Ghanaians is the high cost of electricity. To address this, he said Mr. Mahama plans to introduce specialized “time of use” electricity meters, which would reduce production costs for businesses, enabling them to operate efficiently within the proposed 24-hour economy and have the opportunity to employ more young people.