By Celestine Avi
National Democratic Congress (NDC) Presidential Candidate Mr. John Mahama has questioned Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s promise to create jobs for the youth, calling it hollow in light of the government’s recent track record with unpaid allowances.
Speaking to supporters in Kwamikrom in the Biakoye Constituency as part of his Resetting Ghana Campaign tour, Mr. Mahama highlighted the plight of former Nation Builders Corps (NABCO) trainees, who remain unpaid months after completing their service. He cited this as proof of the administration’s failure to fulfill its commitments to young people.
“Dr. Bawumia talks about creating jobs, but let him first pay the NABCO trainees, who have waited months for their allowances,” Mahama said. He urged Ghanaians to reject the ruling party, accusing them of eight years of unfulfilled promises.
The NDC Presidential Candidate also expressed disappointment over Dr. Bawumia’s absence from the National Peace Campaign launch, which Mr. Mahama attended after temporarily suspending his tour.
“Yesterday, I set aside my campaign to support the peace campaign, but Bawumia was a no-show. Instead, he was off making promises to the youth. If he’s serious about supporting them, he should start by honoring the commitments already made.”
Reflecting on the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) appeal to “try them” when they first took office, Mr. Mahama criticised the economic hardships he claims have worsened under their administration.
“They begged us to try them, but this trial has become a curse,” he said, referencing the rising costs of food, housing, and a steep currency decline. “When I was in office, kenkey cost 1 GH₵; today, it’s 5 GH₵. Cement has gone from 24 GH₵ to 110 GH₵, and the cedi has fallen from 4 to 17 against the dollar.”
Mr. John Mahama concluded by questioning the NPP’s campaign strategy: “If I were in their shoes, I’d be too embarrassed to ask for votes after leaving the country in such a state. Yet they campaign as if these eight years never happened. We must hold them accountable and choose a better path forward.”