The National Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Sammy Gyamfi Esq. has outlined the key policies from the party’s Youth Manifesto Launch, underscoring the party’s vision for empowering Ghana’s future
Lawyer Sammy Gyamfi’s statement underscored the opposition party’s commitment to creating opportunities and ensuring the holistic development of Ghana’s youth through innovative and inclusive policies.
Central to the NDC’s youth-focused agenda according to Lawyer Sammy Gyamfi is the introduction of a 24-Hour Economy initiative, describing it as a “game-changer” in the employment sector.
Under this model, the NDC National Communications Officer explained that each job would be split into three shifts, allowing three individuals to share the same position across a 24-hour period.
This formula, referred to as “1:3:3”, he noted is designed to maximize employment opportunities, reduce joblessness, and increase productivity.
National Apprenticeship Program
Another cornerstone of the NDC’s youth agenda is the National Apprenticeship Program, a policy aimed at providing free vocational training to young Ghanaians.
Lawyer Sammy Gyamfi highlighted that the program will enroll young people with senior craftsmen to learn various trades and vocations at no cost.
He stated that upon completion, these apprentices will receive certification and be provided with startup equipment and funds to establish their own businesses.
The initiative, he noted is expected to empower countless young Ghanaians with the skills needed to thrive in a competitive job market.
“Adwumawura” Program
Lawyer Sammy Gyemfi also announced the NDC plans to roll out the “Adwumawura” Program, a special startup initiative that aims to facilitate the creation, tracking, and mentoring of a minimum of 10,000 youth-led businesses each year.
According to him, the program is set to foster entrepreneurship among the youth, providing them with the necessary support to turn their innovative ideas into thriving businesses, thereby contributing to economic growth and job creation.
Enhancing Free SHS: A Commitment to Quality Education
On the opposition party’s vision and plan to improve the free senior high school policy, Lawyer Sammy Gyamfi indicated that the NDC’s Youth Manifesto includes a comprehensive plan to improve the program.
He outlined the party’s intentions to provide a dedicated and sustainable source of funding for the program, abolish the double-track system to ensure uniform school schedules and extend the coverage to private SHS institutions.
Additionally, Lawyer Sammy Gyamfi pointed out that the NDC plans to decentralize the procurement of food to improve efficiency and quality in the delivery of the program.
These measures, he noted are designed to enhance the quality of education and ensure that all Ghanaian students have equal access to educational opportunities.
No Fees Stress: Free Tertiary Education for Level 100s
In a move that is set to ease the financial burden on students and their families, the National Communications Officer of the NDC mentioned that an NDC/Mahama government would fully absorb the academic fees of all new entrants into public tertiary institutions starting in 2025.
This policy according to him, will ensure that Level 100 students in public universities, including colleges of education, and nursing training colleges will not pay any academic fees.
“Simply Put, Level 100 Students In Public Tertiary Institutions Will Not Pay Any Academic Fees, Effective January 2025. Per the rough estimates put out by Eduwatch, this policy will cost the government about GHS275 million”.
Sammy Gyamfi Esq., the National Communications Officer of the NDC
Outlining how the next NDC/Mahama government will finance the policy, Lawyer Sammy Gyamfi announced that it will be cutting down the outrageous GHS2 billion expenditure of the Office of Government Machinery and rechanneled the savings made to finance the policy.
Additionally, Lawyer Sammy Gyamfi indicated that the next NDC administration shall reintroduce and redeploy the Student Loan Trust Fund (SLTF) Plus to support continuing students in public tertiary institutions.
“The entry point is the most difficult period for tertiary students and parents, hence our decision to cushion them by fully absorbing academic fees. Beyond that, continuing students can access the SLTF Plus which we will be re-introducing and redeploying to support their fee payment”.
Sammy Gyamfi Esq., the National Communications Officer of the NDC
Bed-for-All Initiative: Addressing Accommodation Challenges
Moreover, Lawyer Sammy Gyamfi mentioned that the NDC also plans to tackle the perennial accommodation crisis faced by tertiary students with its “Bed-for-All Initiative”.
According to him, the party intends to partner with the private sector to develop affordable accommodation facilities on the campuses of public tertiary institutions.
This initiative, he stated seeks to end the “in-out-out-out” policy by ensuring that students have access to adequate and affordable on-campus housing.
Free Tertiary Education for Persons with Disability
In a bid to promote inclusivity, Lawyer Sammy Gaymfi indicated that the NDC is committed to providing free tertiary education for all persons with disabilities admitted to public tertiary institutions.
Abolishing the Licensure Exams and Scrapping the Quota System
In the education sector again, Lawyer Sammy Gyamfi reaffirmed the opposition party’s plans to abolish the controversial licensure exams for trained teachers, adding that the party seek to incorporate the licensing examination into the final year exams in school.
More so, the NDC NCO stated that the party intends to scrap the quota system for admissions into nursing and teacher training colleges, thereby expanding student enrollment and ensuring that more young Ghanaians have the opportunity to pursue careers in these critical fields.
“Above all, we shall ensure the prompt posting of trained nurses, trained health professionals in general and trained teachers. The days of automatic employment for trained teachers, nurses and other health professionals are coming back”.
Sammy Gyamfi Esq., the National Communications Officer of the NDC
One Million Coders Program and Digital Jobs Initiative
Highlighting the importance of digital skills in the modern economy, Lawyer Sammy Gyamfi pointed out that the NDC plans to launch a “One Million Coders Program” aimed at training one million young Ghanaians in coding and other in-demand digital skills.
He also outlined the party’s “Digital Jobs Initiative”, which is set to make a $3 billion investment in ICT, creating a minimum of 300,000 jobs in the growing BPO and KPO ecosystems.
Promoting Prior Learning Certification (PLC) and Set-Up Certification (SEC)
To support artisans in the informal sector, Lawyer Sammy Gyamfi assured that the NDC will promote “Prior Learning Certification (PLC)” and “Set-Up Certification (SEC)”.
These initiatives, he emphasized will facilitate the validation and improvement of skills and knowledge, enabling artisans to advance academically and professionally.
“MO-NE-YO” Insurance Scheme
Finally, the National Communications Officer of the NDC, Sammy Gyamfi Esq. mentioned that the NDC shall introduce the “MO-NE-YO” Insurance Scheme, a special pension plan aimed at improving the livelihood of informal sector workers in retirement.
This scheme, he noted will cater for both commercial drivers, farmers, fishermen, traders, market women, and artisans, providing them with a safety net in their later years.
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