During his tour of the Tema West, Ledzokuku, and Okaikwei South constituencies, NDC Flagbearer John Dramani Mahama made strong commitments to empowering small businesses.
He outlined various initiatives aimed at improving market conditions and supporting women in business. John Mahama’s vision for a future NDC government focuses on ensuring economic and social development, particularly through his party’s proposed “market enhancement program” and a pledge to create the Women’s Development Bank within the first 120 days of his administration.
John Mahama began by addressing the state of Ghana’s security apparatus, highlighting the need for modernization and investment.
This, according to John Mahama, is necessary to ensure that they are better equipped to handle the country’s security challenges.
This pledge reflected Mahama’s broader commitment to strengthening institutions and ensuring that Ghana’s peace and stability are safeguarded in the face of new and evolving threats.
While specifics on the retooling plans were not detailed, his statement reinforces the NDC’s focus on institutional development.
The Market Enhancement Program and Women’s Development Bank
“In the first 120 days, we will provide the seed money upfront for the Women’s Development Bank. So that our mothers and our sisters can get loans with low interest, no collateral.”
John Dramani Mahama Flagbearer of the NDC
This initiative is aimed at helping women access the financial support they need to grow their businesses without the burden of collateral or high-interest loans.
He emphasized that the bank would be critical in supporting women, particularly those in small and medium enterprises (SMEs), as they contribute significantly to the economy.
In addition to financial support, John Mahama outlined the NDC’s “market enhancement program,” which aims to modernize and improve markets across the country.
According to John Mahama, the program will focus on reengineering and upgrading market infrastructure, making it more conducive for both traders and customers.
“Everywhere there’s a market, we’ll engineer it properly, build it nicely, [and] pave the floor so that when it rains, you don’t have to walk in mud to enter the market.”
“We have to make the markets enticing so that they are happy to go there and buy things. If you go in the market, you have to step in the mud, and it will spoil your shoes and your clothes.”
John Dramani Mahama Flagbearer of the NDC
Supporting Small and Medium Enterprises
John Mahama also addressed his plans for supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs), highlighting their critical role in economic growth.
He criticized the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) for mocking his pledge to assist small businesses, particularly through initiatives aimed at helping people start businesses in sectors such as baking and poultry farming.
“The other time, I said that if you wanted to be a baker, we’ll help you with the equipment. The other time I said we were going to help small businesses to grow.”
John Dramani Mahama Flagbearer of the NDC
He dismissed the NPP’s criticism, stating that they lacked foresight in supporting SMEs, a sector that has proven vital to the development of advanced economies.
“Our friends in NPP have done an advert mocking what I said, but they did not know even advanced countries reached that status through small and medium enterprises.”
John Dramani Mahama Flagbearer of the NDC
John Mahama further argued that many successful Ghanaian businessmen today started small, emphasizing that the NDC is not ashamed to support SMEs. He noted; “We are not shy to say we will help small and medium enterprises.”
Under the NDC, Mahama promised that SMEs would receive the necessary support to thrive and grow.
“Small and medium enterprises, this is your government. We value the small and medium enterprises, and we’re going help the business people in the small and medium enterprise sector to be able to grow their businesses.’’
John Dramani Mahama Flagbearer of the NDC
A Vision for Inclusive Economic Growth
John Mahama’s tour of the constituencies reinforced his vision for inclusive economic growth that benefits all segments of society, particularly women and small business owners.
His promise to create a Women’s Development Bank, modernize market infrastructure, and support SMEs aligns with his broader agenda of fostering economic empowerment from the grassroots level.
In conclusion, John Mahama’s promises to establish a Women’s Development Bank, and enhance market infrastructure reflect his vision for an NDC government that prioritizes institutional development, women’s empowerment, and the growth of SMEs.
As Ghana gears up for the 2024 elections, these pledges could resonate strongly with voters, particularly women and small business owners, who stand to benefit directly from his proposed policies.
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