The flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, says his next government will split the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
He contends the current Ministry of Youth and Sports is overemphasing sports, neglecting the country’s overall development fabric.
“Over the years, what we know is that the concentration is just on sports and, even on sports, the concentration is just on the Black Stars at the expense of every other sports,” he lamented.
According to him, the move will help to empower a generation of skilled youth to transform the country.
The new ministry will focus on mainstreaming youth interests in all sectors of the economy to support the 24-hour economy.
“We are going to set up a separate Ministry of Youth Development. My vision for this ministry will be that it will focus on mainstreaming youth interests in all sectors of the economy but, most of all, it will concentrate on rolling out strategies that will create jobs for young people.
“This ministry will support the 24-hour economy,” Mahama said while addressing members of the NDC Youth Wing on Friday, March 29, 2024.
Youngest cabinet
The 2024 flagbearer of the NDC hinted that the next cabinet will averagely be one of the youngest cabinets in the history of the country.
“The NDC cabinet post 7th January, 2025 is going to be averagely one of the youngest cabinets in the history of this country. Even I got the opportunity early. I entered parliament at 38; I was made a deputy minister at 39; at 41, I was a full minister and I became vice president at 50.”
“… and I think that if you look at the demographics of this country, and you know that young people are the majority, then definitely if you are setting up a cabinet, young people will be the majority in that cabinet,” he added.
John Mahama spoke at the official unveiling of the NDC National Youth Wing Secretariat in Accra.
The Secretariat is expected to serve as the nerve centre for the party’s youth-focused initiatives and campaigns.