The presidential candidate for the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Mahama, has announced plans to introduce the National Apprenticeship Scheme to combat unemployment.

During a large rally in the Greater Accra Region, where all parliamentary candidates were presented, Mr Mahama outlined three key policies he believes will significantly benefit the country.

This was on Saturday, July 20, after thousands of party faithful braved the rain to march for about six kilometres before gathering at the Nungua Town Park.

Mr Mahama stated that providing robust vocational training for individuals who missed out on educational opportunities will help reduce unemployment, which is the purpose of the National Apprenticeship Scheme.

Mr. Mahama promised to create a Women’s Bank to support the financial needs of women entrepreneurs, acknowledging their vital role in the economy.

He also mentioned that implementing a 24-hour economy would be a key factor in accelerating the country’s growth.

Additionally, Mr Mahama urged party members to ensure the security of the ballot at each polling station and assured them that his policies would benefit all Ghanaians who support the NDC.

He announced that the party will officially kick off its 2024 election campaign in Tamale on July 27, marking the beginning of a vigorous nationwide campaign.

“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 can 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.”