The flag bearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Mahama, has pledged to reduce data costs in the country when elected in the December elections.
The former President, who admitted that the cost of data is critical to digitalisation, intimated that his government will also provide free Wi-Fi in all schools across Ghana.
Mahama made this promise during the launch of the NDC’s ‘Youth Manifesto’ today, August 12, at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA).
Assuring Ghanaians of his commitment to achieving that, he expressed confidence in the NDC’s ability to fulfill this promise and cited the use of fiber and satellite internet technologies to offer free Wi-Fi services to public institutions.
“We will work with the telecom companies to reduce data cost and deploy free Wi-Fi in all our schools and selected public places,” he said.
Mr Mahama also said the next NDC government will launch the ‘No Fees Stress’ initiative, which will provide full support to eligible tertiary students through the Students Loan Trust Fund.
This, he indicated, will pave way for a lot of qualified first year students to get access to public universities without stress.
Mahama’s address coincided with this year’s International Youth Day.
This year’s theme for the event is “From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development”.
Mahama said the theme perfectly underscores the transformative power of
digital technologies in driving progress and shaping the future by leveraging digital tools for positive change.
“I am proud to reaffirm our pledge—the Mahama and Naana Jane administration’s pledge—to upscale digital skills and training for Ghanaian youth.”
According to him reducing data cost is important because the NDC ticket envisions a future where every young
Ghanaian has the opportunity to thrive in the digital age.
It is for this reason that he pledged his commitment to supporting digital start-ups and incubation hubs and training one million young Ghanaians in coding.
By Henryson Okrah |Myxyzonline.com
