The National Democratic Congress' (NDC) presidential candidate, John Dramani Mahama, has unveiled plans to address Ghana's unemployment crisis by implementing a National Apprenticeship Scheme if elected.

During a large rally in Greater Accra on Saturday, July 20, where thousands of supporters marched through rain to the Nungua town park, Mahama outlined three major policies aimed at reshaping Ghana's future.

He emphasized that the new National Apprenticeship Scheme would provide vocational training for individuals who struggle academically but possess practical skills. This initiative is designed to bridge the unemployment gap and offer meaningful opportunities for those who do not pursue higher education.

Mahama also announced the establishment of a Women’s Bank to support female entrepreneurs, recognizing their significant contribution to the economy.

Additionally, he proposed the creation of a 24-hour economy to drive rapid economic growth.

In his address, Mahama urged party members to vigilantly protect the ballot at polling stations and reassured them that his policies would benefit all Ghanaians who vote for the NDC.

The party's official campaign launch for the 2024 elections will takeNDC place in Tamale on July 27, marking the beginning of an intensive nationwide campaign.

Mahama stressed that the National Apprenticeship Scheme is intended for those who may not excel in traditional education but have practical skills. He argued that not every student fits the conventional academic mold, and those who do not perform well in classrooms might still have valuable talents in hands-on trades.

He highlighted that all individuals have inherent abilities and emphasized that providing free education only to some is inadequate.

Instead, the National Apprenticeship Scheme will offer an alternative path for those who do not advance to higher education, equipping them with skills to secure employment and contribute to the economy.

“The first is the National Apprenticeship Scheme. As I’ve said before, not all our children are induced with the same mental ability. You can have the same children sitting in the same class when the teacher teaches, one is able to catch it immediately and so you would think that he’s smart, he’s knowledgeable, he’s intelligent.

“There’s another one who’s slow to learn and so we might do an exam, the sharp one will continue to the University and all that. But it doesn’t mean that the one who doesn’t catch it quickly does not have the talent God gave him.”

”Take those two; the one you say is slow and the one who’s smart and put them in an environment where they have to use their hands and you will find out that that other one is better able and more skilful than the one who gets A in class.

“So, all our children have a talent that God gave them. So it cannot be that we give free education to one group to the university and yet when the others fall out, they are left to their faith. Not all of them can go to the TVET centres.”

“So, our strategy will be to introduce the National Apprenticeship Scheme so that for those who cannot continue into tertiary education, they will be able to go into an Apprenticeship and learn a skill with their hands so they can also find work.”