Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, the running mate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate John Dramani Mahama, has paid a courtesy call to the Chief of Walewale, Duurana Amin Mohammed Muqtar, during a recent visit to the Walewale Constituency.

Prof. Opoku-Agyemang, during her address to the chief and people of Walewale, emphasized the importance of a peaceful election. “I conveyed the warm greetings of His Excellency John Dramani Mahama to His Highness and shared a message of peace,” she stated, signaling a commitment to a respectful campaign season.

She pointedly remarked that this election should be viewed not as an arena for “irrelevant comparisons or conflict” but as an opportunity to pursue genuine development for Ghana’s citizens.

In acknowledging Walewale as traditionally a stronghold of the NPP, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang underscored that every Ghanaian citizen, regardless of political affiliation, is entitled to representation and care, saying, “We are also His Highness’s children.”

Her focus on unity resonated with the NDC’s efforts to bridge political divides and foster a collaborative approach to governance. In a context where political campaigns often turn adversarial, her message was a call for dialogue and a constructive focus on national priorities over party loyalties.

One of the primary concerns highlighted by Prof. Opoku-Agyemang was the high rate of youth unemployment, an issue affecting communities across Ghana.

“One of our biggest concerns, however, is youth unemployment,” she emphasized. This issue, according to her, is not just a regional concern but a national crisis. With a large portion of Ghana’s population under the age of 35, the lack of job opportunities poses significant challenges to the country’s social stability and economic growth.

In addition, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang expressed the NDC’s concerns over the steady depreciation of Ghana’s currency, which has strained household budgets and increased the cost of essential goods and services.

“We are calling for change because we cannot afford to continue in a situation where our currency keeps depreciating,” she said, stressing the need for policies that would stabilize the economy and ease financial pressures on citizens.

Concrete Proposals for Economic Empowerment and Job Creation

Prof. Opoku-Agyemang highlighted several initiatives within the NDC’s development agenda aimed at addressing these challenges. Among them is the Women’s Development Bank, a proposal aimed at empowering Ghanaian women financially.

“This initiative is not just for traders, but also for women involved in other economic activities,” she elaborated, pointing to the NDC’s commitment to an inclusive economic model that empowers marginalized groups.

Another key proposal she discussed is the NDC’s plan for a “24-hour economy.” This concept envisions round-the-clock economic activity, creating job opportunities particularly for the youth and addressing constraints in Ghana’s labor market.

A 24-hour economy, she explained, would allow businesses to operate in shifts, thereby increasing productivity and offering employment to more individuals in different sectors.

In her address, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang also touched on the NDC’s commitment to providing quality education and healthcare, two pillars of their development agenda.

“We care deeply about the future of our people, and we do not want to see them deprived of quality education or adequate healthcare,” she noted, asserting that these are fundamental rights for every Ghanaian.

The NDC’s manifesto includes provisions to improve access to quality education, from primary school to higher education, and to address the shortfalls in the healthcare sector.

Prof. Opoku-Agyemang expressed her gratitude to the Chief of Walewale for his time and his well-wishes for the NDC’s campaign. She conveyed the chief’s positive reception of their message and his expressed desire for a peaceful election.

As Ghana approaches election day, the NDC’s campaign emphasizes the need for a responsive government that will address the country’s pressing challenges, from youth unemployment to economic instability and infrastructure gaps.