The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has introduced a six-month voluntary National Service program for graduates and youth just months before the December 7 elections. Many Ghanaians see this as a blatant attempt to deceive and lure voters, rather than a sincere effort to tackle the issues of unemployment and youth engagement. This move, perceived as a political gimmick, raises serious concerns about the NPP government's governance and their strategies to win votes.

Election Year Deception:

The timing of this new initiative is highly suspect. Announcing a voluntary National Service program so close to the elections seems more like an electoral strategy than a genuine policy measure. Ghanaians have seen similar tactics before, where political parties roll out high-profile schemes to gain favour with voters, only for these promises to fizzle out after the elections. The NPP government's track record with the mandatory National Service program and the Nation Builders Corps (NABCO) further deepens scepticism about the sincerity of this new proposal.

Historical Context of Mismanagement:

The NPP's mismanagement of the mandatory National Service program and NABCO adds weight to the criticisms. Both programs have faced significant issues with delayed payments and administrative inefficiencies. For instance, in 2020, National Service personnel in the Greater Accra Region protested over months of unpaid allowances. Similarly, NABCO trainees have reported arrears spanning up to three years, with several public protests highlighting their plight. These examples underscore the NPP government's failure to deliver on their commitments, making the latest promises even more questionable.

NABCO: A Precedent of Unfulfilled Promises:

The Nation Builders Corps (NABCO), another flagship program launched by the NPP to address graduate unemployment, has also become a symbol of the government's governance failures. Many trainees have faced severe salary delays, with some experiencing arrears for up to three years. In 2021, NABCO trainees publicly protested and used social media to voice their grievances over unpaid allowances. This has left many young Ghanaians disillusioned and questioning the efficacy of government-led employment initiatives. NABCO's failures not only had immediate financial impacts on trainees but also damaged the NPP's credibility. It reveals a troubling pattern of over-promising and under-delivering, eroding public trust and confidence in the government's ability to manage youth employment programs effectively.

Scepticism Among the Youth:

The youth, particularly unemployed graduates, are sceptical of the NPP government's new initiative. They have seen first-hand how similar promises have been broken. The persistent problems with the National Service program and NABCO have left many young Ghanaians disillusioned. They view the new voluntary National Service proposal as another attempt to win votes without addressing the root causes of unemployment and administrative failures.

Need for Genuine Development Initiatives:

Effective governance requires more than just launching new programs; it demands consistent, transparent, and accountable management of existing initiatives. The ongoing issues with the mandatory National Service and NABCO highlight the need for systemic reforms. The NPP's approach, characterized by launching high-profile schemes without addressing underlying administrative inefficiencies, reflects a lack of genuine commitment to development.

Sustainable development and youth engagement can't be achieved through temporary, election-focused measures. Instead, the NPP should prioritize resolving the existing problems within their programs to demonstrate a real commitment to effective governance. This involves timely payments, administrative efficiency, and actively engaging with the affected youth to understand their challenges and incorporate their feedback into policy reforms.

To conclude, the introduction of a six-month voluntary National Service program by the NPP government amid ongoing issues with the mandatory National Service and NABCO programs underscores significant governance flaws. The timing of this initiative in an election year further fuels perceptions of opportunism and insincerity.

For the NPP to regain public trust, they must prioritize addressing the existing problems within their programs and demonstrate a genuine commitment to effective governance. Ghanaians, particularly the youth, should critically evaluate these promises and remain cautious of election-year tactics that fail to address their real challenges. The NPP government must show true commitment to effective governance and transparency if they hope to regain public trust.