Former deputy Communications Minister, Felix Kwakye Ofosu has accused Vice President and 2024 flagbearer of the governing New Patriotic Party of plagiarizing the National Democratic Congress, NDC’s manifesto pledge to create job opportunities for one young people through what it training in ICT and coding.
According to him, the policy initiative, dubbed ‘One Million Coders’ in NDC’s 2020 Manifesto (the Peoples Manifesto), was to leverage on huge investments the former President, John Dramani Mahama made in digital infrastructure to provide adequate platforms for job-relevant digital skills in software development including coding and programming, to help young men and women to realise their full potential in 21st Century living.
Mr Kwakye Ofosu who was explaining NDC’s plan for the youth said under the proposed policy initiative, a Ministry for Youth Development to be created, shall among other things shall establish a $50million FINTECH fund and facilitate a $3billion investment in ICT infrastructure through public-private partnership.
He said unlike Dr Mahamadu Bawumia and the Akufo Addo led government which have earned an unenviable reputation for lies, John Mahama has a verifiable track record.
“If John Mahama promises, he delivers. He established the Ghana Infrastructure Fund which generates $250million annually, He established the Sinking Fund. After fixing ‘dumsor’, he also established the Energy Sector Levy, ESLA to address legacy debts which has raised over 25 billion cedis since it became law. So its not mere rhetoric. His track record speaks volumes” – Kwakye Ofosu emphasized.
He assured the youth of hope and urged them to believe in the NDC 2024 flagbearer, John Mahama, a man he described as the ‘nation builder’.
You will recall that in February this year, John Mahama affirmed his commitment to this policy when he engaged stakeholders at a two-day NDC LAB Policy Dialogue themed “Towards the 2024 Manifesto: Consolidating Our Thematic Group Policy Proposals”.
He assured that the initial seed capital of US$50 million will support indigenous companies in fostering the growth of the digital economy.
Ghanaians interested in the ‘Coding for Em¬ployment Programme’ will be equipped with in-de¬mand digital skills for the growing Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) and Knowledge Process Outsourcing (KPO) ecosystems.
“ I have the utmost confidence that very soon we (Ghanaians) shall see and have a feel of a manifesto that responds to the day-to-day needs of Ghanaians and leverages our shared aspirations and common identity when it is launched. A manifesto anchored on the people’s will. We are ready, and I am prepared to lead us in building the Ghana we want together,” John Mahama told the technical experts.
