Prominent Reggae artiste and political commentator Blakk Rasta has expressed scepticism over the recent campaign promise by Rev. Dr. Christian Kwabena Andrews, also known as Osofo Kyiri Abosom.
During the launch of his 2024 manifesto on August 17, 2024, in Accra, Osofo Kyiri Abosom promised to provide every young person in Ghana with a seed capital of GH¢10,000 if he wins the 2024 presidential elections.
According to him, this initiative would empower the youth to start or expand their businesses, create employment opportunities, and improve their living conditions.
However, reacting to this on the Blak Pot segment of his show on 3FM on August 21, 2024, Blakk Rasta compared Osofo Kyiri Abosom's promise to the unreliable pledges often made by Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
“I have a lot of respect for Osofo Kyiri Abosom, but they say politics is a dirty game. He is gradually becoming a student of Doctor Mahamudu Bawumia,” he said.
While expressing respect for Osofo Kyiri Abosom, Blakk Rasta questioned the feasibility of the promise, citing the large youth population in Ghana and the substantial financial implications.
"Do you know the population of Ghana? Is it 30 million? Is it 36 million? What is the percentage of the population that form the youth? If we have a population of about 30 million people in this country and let's say a third of this country forms the youth, do you know how much money that is?" Blakk Rasta asked.
He further questioned the practicality of distributing GH¢10,000 to each young person, considering the high costs and potential for more impactful investments such as building factories and creating job opportunities.
Blakk Rasta also questioned the effectiveness of the monitoring and training programmes to ensure the success of businesses started with the seed capital.
"This is like a shot in the middle of the ocean. How are you going to achieve this? Where is the money going to come from? Are you going to give the youth a certain training before you give them that? Who qualifies for the GH¢10,000?" he queried.
Blakk Rasta further expressed doubt about the overall viability of the proposal, given the current economic conditions and inflation rates in Ghana.
“What can 10,000 Ghana cedis do at all in Ghana? 10,000 Ghana cedis? With this level of inflation, what are you going to sell? Pure water on the streets?
“You see when people bring their ideas I do not want to shoot down those ideas right from the start but this one doesn't look like a well-thought-out idea,” he said.
He urged for more thoughtful and realistic solutions to support the youth and improve their economic prospects.
ID/NOQ
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