The Vice President and Presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has told the youth of Ghana that they are his priority as he seeks to serve the country as President.
At a special youth-focused event in Accra on Sunday, November 3, 2024, which was simultaneously beamed live to a youth audience in all 16 regions, Dr Bawumia said he decided to organize the special event to outline his vision for the youth because they will be his priority as President.
"I have chosen this occasion to have a conversation with you, the young people of Ghana, mainly to remind you of the commitment I made to you exactly a year ago to make you my number one priority," Dr. Bawumia said.
The commitment, Dr. Bawumia stressed, is to build on the positive outlook of the economy following the difficulties experienced last year, continue with a number of impactful youth initiatives the government has started, especially in education, as well as implement his own vision as President, which focuses on creating an enabling environment for jobs for the youth.
"My commitment is to transform Ghana and build on the economic recovery we are witnessing by introducing bold business-friendly policy initiatives from January 2025, which are designed to stimulate significant economic activity," Dr. Bawumia said.
"I am confident that these initiatives will create the large pool of diverse jobs that the young people of Ghana desire and deserve," he assured.
Dr. Bawumia expressed optimism about a brighter future for the youth under his Presidency, making reference to the positive indicators on the economy, coupled with the possibilities of his own initiatives.
"Just to give you a little indication about my faith in what is possible for us to achieve together beginning January 2025, the growth of the Ghanaian economy has been revised upwards to 4% for 2024 and higher in 2025."
"To put it into perspective, the economy grew by a mere 3.4% in 2016, the last year under former President John Mahama. In fact, for 2025, S&P is more buoyant, with their forecast at 5.4%.
"I am even more optimistic that it is possible to do even more if, with your vote, you elect me as your next President and we implement my comprehensive business-friendly and job creation programmes as outlined in the NPP Manifesto."
As a matter of priority and to realize his vision for the youth, Dr. Bawumia said his focus would be on education, skills development, and creating the needed economic environment for jobs, which will be based on his business-friendly policies, including a new tax regime for businesses.