Former President John Dramani Mahama, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Presidential Candidate for the 2024 general elections, has reaffirmed an ambitious plan aimed at revitalizing Ghana’s economy when elected as President in the upcoming elections.
In a statement to the nation, former President Mahama outlined key elements of his vision as captured in the NDC’s Resetting Ghana Manifesto, focusing on transforming the country’s economic landscape and creating sustainable jobs for Ghanaians.
At the heart of former President Mahama’s blueprint is the establishment of a 24-hour economy—a bold strategy designed to boost business development and job creation across multiple sectors.
This initiative, which calls for the uninterrupted operation of key industries, is aimed at maximizing productivity and fostering a more dynamic economy.
“We believe that implementing a 24-hour economy for business development and job creation can boost our economy and create prosperity for all Ghanaians. But this initiative is not my only plan”.
Former President John Dramani Mahama, National Democratic Congress 2024 Presidential Candidate
Key Pillars of Mahama’s Economic Plan
In addition to the 24-hour economy, the National Democratic Congress flagbearer and leader outlined several key initiatives that form the foundation of his economic growth strategy.
Highlighting the critical role women play in economic development, former President Mahama plans to establish a Women’s Development Bank to provide targeted financial support to female entrepreneurs and businesses.
This institution according to him will offer affordable credit and technical assistance to empower women in various sectors, helping them scale their operations and contribute to the national economy.
Secondly, former President John Dramani Mahama affirmed his commitment to the National Apprenticeship Programme in a bid to address the skills gap in Ghana.
The initiative is set to offer structured training for young Ghanaians across multiple industries, equipping them with practical skills for employment and entrepreneurship.
This programme is a core element of former President Mahama’s commitment to tackling youth unemployment through hands-on training and capacity building.
Additionally, former President John Dramani Mahama emphasized the development of a vibrant digital economy in partnership with the private sector, adding that his government will aim to grow Ghana’s digital technology industry to a $3 billion market.
This plan envisions creating digital hubs, fostering innovation, and accelerating the adoption of technology across the economy, driving job creation and enhancing the country’s global competitiveness.
Agriculture, Manufacturing, and Creative Industries to Drive Growth
The National Democratic Congress Presidential Candidate’s commitment to job creation extended to an aggressive focus on agriculture, manufacturing, and the creative economy.
A key component of this strategy is the FEED Ghana programme, a flagship agricultural initiative that aims to boost food production, enhance food security, and create employment along the agricultural value chain.
“The FEED Ghana programme and strategic investments in agriculture, manufacturing, and the creative economy will be at the forefront of our efforts to stimulate growth and create sustainable jobs for our people”.
Former President John Dramani Mahama, National Democratic Congress 2024 Presidential Candidate
He also underscored the importance of transforming the agricultural sector through modernization and investment, making it more efficient and capable of supporting industrial growth.
Fiscal Discipline and Economic Transformation
Former President Mahama also assured Ghanaians that his fiscal policy will be anchored on the principles of a 24-hour economy to maximize productivity. This policy, he explained, will help Ghana transition from its current economic challenges into an import-substitution and export-led economy.
“Our economic transformation agenda will focus on reducing the dependency on imports by building local industries and scaling up exports, This will not only enhance domestic production but will also make Ghana more resilient to external economic shocks.”
Former President John Dramani Mahama, National Democratic Congress 2024 Presidential Candidate
Former President Mahama’s strategy to increase productivity across sectors and focus on local manufacturing aligns with his broader goals of reducing the country’s trade deficit and creating a stable economic environment conducive to business growth.
Throughout his statement, former President Mahama emphasized his administration’s unwavering commitment to job creation.
By prioritizing key sectors such as agriculture, technology, manufacturing, and creative industries, the former President pledged to address the unemployment crisis that has long plagued the nation.
His proposed 24-hour economy, coupled with strategic investments and policy reforms, seeks to transform Ghana into a hub of innovation, production, and global competitiveness.
READ ALSO: Analyst Warns: Political Tensions and December Elections Threaten Short-Term Market Stability
