Former President John Dramani Mahama, who is also the Presidential Candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), on Sunday spoke on a platform created by the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) to waltz about how he would ensure a new type of government if given another chance.
He spoke about several areas of national governance, including his being a man with experience, his visionary Leadership for Economic Revival, and his commitment to create jobs for Ghana’s long youth.
He also spoke about Championing Social Justice and Equality and a call to national unity.
In this three part series, that began yesterday and is continuing today, the Daily Searchlight analyzes his speech and wonder out how he managed to mesmerize Ghana’s media into virtually a unanimous endorsement of his speech. In this second part we would look at his speech in the area of ‘Commitment to Job Creation’, ‘Championing Social Justice and Equality, and his ‘Call to National Unity’.
On his Commitment to Job Creation Mr. Mahama stated:
“Recognising that our youth are the backbone of this nation, my government will prioritise and create decent, well-paying, and sustainable jobs. By fostering a conducive environment for entrepreneurship and innovation, the government and the private sector will not only tackle unemployment but also inspire a generation of change-makers and problem-solvers.”
The Daily Searchlight says;
Between January 2009 to January 9, 2017, when the National Democratic Congress (NDC) was in power, and the majority of which period Mr. Mahama was President, the data shows that Ghana experienced some of the highest youth unemployment figures Ghana has ever seen since 2004. In 2013, it hovered around 4.76% but rose to an astounding 14.28% in 2015 before dropping marginally to 10.64 at the end of 2016.
This is in comparison to the 2017 figures of 6.33% to 6.68% in 2023. (Source; https://www.statista.com/statistics/812039/youth-unemployment-rate-in-ghana/).
Interestingly, in that same period, the Mills/Mahama Government initiated a host of youth employment and youth training programs that eventually led to the theft of hundreds of millions of Ghana cedis by companies owned by friends of Mr. Mahama.
In that same period, the rate of exchange saw a dramatic fall in the value of the Ghana Cedi. In December 2012, when his government was in power and he had been the President for two years after his predecessor John Atta Mills had died, the Ghana Cedi was exchanging at 1.8932 to the United States dollar. By the time we reached December 2016, the same dollar was exchanging at 4.1798 Ghana Cedis, a more than 250 percent drop in value. Definitely not an encouraging sign about his so-called experience.
It is therefore strange that after four years out of power, the same Mahama is speaking of creating a so-called ‘conducive environment for entrepreneurship and innovation’.
Speaking on Sunday again, he Mahama mention ‘Championing Social Justice and Equality’. He said;
“I wholeheartedly believe in a Ghana where every citizen, regardless of their background or gender, has equal opportunities to thrive. Under my leadership, social interventions and educational reforms will be strengthened. The vulnerable in our society will be protected and given the opportunity to change their circumstances. Let me add that gender equality will be a cardinal feature of the Mahama Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang Flagstaff House.
“We would lead an administration that promotes gender inclusivity in every government policy. That is why we propose to establish a national women’s bank to empower women to close the gender gap financially. One million women will benefit from the women’s bank to finance their small and medium-scale businesses.”
The Daily Searchlight says;
The so-called National Women’s Bank would be just another proposal to create, loot and share. Ghana has a vibrant banking sector, existing and able to support women across board.
We also have the Medium and Small Scale Loan Centre (MASLOC) as well as several State-owned financial organizations that lend to people, and it is surprising that Mr. Mahama would propose a scheme that would eventually assist his party friends and cronies to cart away hundreds of millions of Ghana cedis.
Interestingly, a distressingly vast number of young women from northern Ghana, where he hails from, sleep rough at Accra central and other markets in Accra where they work as Kayayei, but Mr. Mahama, in creating his so-called ‘inclusive society’ did not have a word of comfort to say to them in this rainy season. Not a word to them or about them. The last time he was in power vast amounts were stolen at MASLOC, and to date, he has not said a word about that, and the media just watched and allowed him to spout on and on.
And the media just stood by and watched.
He also made ‘A Call to National Unity’. He said;
“Ghana’s strength lies in its diversity. The polarisation and partisan politics that have characterised the current government’s tenure should have no place in the Ghana we aim to build. As President, I will foster a spirit of national cohesion, encouraging all Ghanaians to contribute towards nation-building, regardless of their political or ethnic affiliations.”
The Daily Searchlight says;
The immediate lie to the above statement was that at the same forum, Mr. Mahama found breathe to speak about how his administration would deal with individuals in the current administration, but did not have a word to say about people who served in his administration and who are currently convicted or an in court over the stealing of state funds.
(To be con’t).
