Former President and the 2024 Presidential Candidate for the largest opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has criticised his main opponent, the flagbearer of the ruling New Patriotic Party, (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, urging him to pay all NABCO trainees if he [Dr. Bawumia] claims he cares about the Ghanaian youth.
John Mahama criticised the incumbent government vehemently for failing to pay the National Builders Corps (NABCO) trainees their salaries arrears.
The NPP government initiated the Nation Builders’ Corps (NABCO) to help reduce the rate of youth unemployment, but the policy has been faced with a myriad of challenges including the non-payment of salaries and salary arrears.
However, during an engagement with Ghanaian youth on Sunday, November 3, 2024, at the Borteyman Sports Complex in Accra, Dr. Bawumia made known his bold vision to the Ghanaian youth, stating that he is committed to the youth, hence his desire to be voted into office come December 7, 2024, so he implements the transformative policies.
Reacting to the Dr. Bawumia’s promise to create jobs for the youth, Mr. Mahama pointed out that the government has a track record of unfulfilled job creation commitments.
Speaking to a crowd of party enthusiasts in Kwamikrom in the Biakoye constituency of the Oti Region, Mr. Mahama questioned the credibility of Dr. Bawumia’s promise, citing the struggles faced by former NABCO trainees who are still owed several months of unpaid allowances.
Mr. John Dramani Mahama, therefore, urged Dr. Bawumia to first address the outstanding NABCO arrears, highlighting that fulfilling current obligations to the youth would strengthen his promise of job creation.
Mahama said, “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.”
“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.”