Pay NABCO Trainees If You Care About Ghanaian Youth – Mahama Tells Bawumia
John Dramani Mahama, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, has criticized Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer, over his recent promise to prioritize youth employment if elected. Mahama’s comments came during his campaign in Kwamikrom, in the Biakoye constituency of the Oti Region, where he questioned the credibility of Dr. Bawumia’s job creation pledge.
Mahama pointed to the government’s unfulfilled promises, specifically referencing the Nation Builders Corps (NABCO), a program intended to provide temporary employment for graduates. Mahama highlighted that many former NABCO trainees are still owed months of unpaid allowances and have not been transitioned into promised permanent positions, despite NPP’s earlier assurances.
“The governing NPP promised to provide jobs for the NABCO trainees after completion. It has been over three years, and that has not happened. The allowances they also promised them during the training have not been paid,” Mahama stated. He urged Dr. Bawumia to address these outstanding issues, emphasizing that meeting current obligations would lend credibility to his job creation pledge.
“It is really sad because all attempts by the trainees to have their concerns addressed have been unsuccessful. If indeed Dr. Bawumia is committed to providing jobs for the youth, he should first address their concerns,” Mahama added.