By Isaac Arkoh
Cape Coast, Oct. 14, GNA-The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has affirmed that every Ghanaian, irrespective of age, ethnicity, religion, or political affiliation, would have fair and unimpeded access to public support services once it assumes governance in 2025.
Grounded in the party’s dedication to the principles and ideals of Social Democracy, it has vowed to recalibrate the nation onto the trajectory of advancement and prosperity for all.
Dr Peter Boamah Otokunor, the Director of the Interparty and CSOs Relations Directorate, said that the party had committed to launching a $10 billion economic initiative to rectify the “ailing economy” and restore it into a robust one.
Dubbed “The Big Push,” it would be one of the primary policy directions of an NDC administration designed to lay the groundwork to resuscitate the economy and steer it towards growth.
Elucidating the party’s Manifesto to key stakeholder groups in Cape Coast, he mentioned that the “Big Push” will concentrate on four main pillars.
These encompass the Western Corridor Economic Enclave, the Eastern Corridor Golden Growth Agenda, the Transformational Road Transport Plan, and the Palm Economic Crop Rejuvenation Programme.
Dr Otukunor highlighted the significant potential for the revitalisation and expansion of private enterprises, emphasising that “if you can envision it, the forthcoming government will assist you in achieving it.”
This endeavour, he said is propelled by the party’s meticulously crafted policy to promote and support businesses and the public through the “24-Hour Economy initiative.
Under this model, organisations will work round the clock in three shifts of eight hours each to enhance production, boost productivity, and create well-compensated employment opportunities.
This intervention aims to metamorphose Ghana into an economy driven by import substitution and exports.
He also assured the implementation of a National Apprenticeship Programme (NAP) aimed at fostering self-employment by offering free technical and vocational training to young individuals in various crafts.
Trained apprentices will receive right certification and be provided with first capital and equipment to set up their businesses.
Linked to that is the party’s “Adwumawura’’ Programme-a specialised business start-up policy intended to help the establishment, monitoring, and mentoring of a minimum of 10,000 businesses annually, with a particular emphasis on young people.
Dr Otukunor also expounded on the party’s Digital Jobs Initiative, which targets a three-billion-dollar investment in collaboration with the private sector to use ICT for job creation.
This will be achieved through a Million Coders Programme designed to engage one million young Ghanaians who would be trained in digital skills such as coding, WebApp development, and software engineering, among others, for employment opportunities in the digital ecosystem.
He announced the establishment of Regional Digital Centres (modelled on the Accra Digital Centre) to help the expansion of Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) and Knowledge Process Outsourcing (KPO) sectors for job generation.
Additionally, a $50 million FinTech Growth Fund will be set up to bolster the growth of digital entrepreneurs and support local FinTech companies.
Zonal ICT Parks will be set up nationwide to position Ghana as a hub for innovation, artificial intel intelligence, cybersecurity in Africa as existing ICT parks like the Dawa ICT Park will be further developed.
He outlined other interventions across various sectors, notably the establishment of a specialised Women’s Bank to help women-owned and women-led businesses with low-interest loans and tailored financial services on flexible terms.
Representatives from key stakeholder groups including the Ghana Association of Hairdressers and Beauticians, Ghana Electricals Association, Driver Associations, Pragyia Riders Associations, Parents Association, and Fishers associations attended the meeting.
Primarily, they advocated regulatory reforms, support, acknowledgment, and training frameworks to empower them to contribute significantly to national development.
The NDC’s Interparty and Civil Society Organisations Relations Directorate has started a nationwide campaign aimed at fostering deeper collaboration with key development stakeholders such as Civil Society Organisations, faith groups and other identifiable organisations in the run-up to the 2024 general elections.
This engagement underscores the pivotal role these groups play in Ghana’s democratic process and emphasizes the necessity to ensure that their voices are heard and reflected in the party’s policy proposals.
GNA