Presidential Candidate for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama has promised to develop a 24 hour economy and 5G technology to leapfrog the country’s development.

According to him, his government’s investments into these projects are aimed at delivering on his promise of providing one million jobs in four years.

Speaking at an engagement with professionals in Ghana on the NDC Peoples’ Manifesto organised by the Centre for Social Justice, John Mahama said: “We will create 250, 000 jobs every year to enhance the livelihoods of Ghanaians. This also fits into Goal 8 of the SDGs – Decent work and economic growth which must be attained by the year 2030.

“In order to foster fairness, transparency and accountability in the distribution of available jobs opportunities, we shall enact an Employment Act to provide a comprehensive framework for job creation and labour market statistics.”

The Former President explained that the 24-hour economy will comprise three 8-hour long shifts, “in order to meet the anticipated national and foreign demand for goods from Ghana as we aggressively diversify our economy and add value to our products for export.”

“The three 8-hourly shifts will place Ghana in sync with the world in order to prepare our economy to become an advanced one,” he added.

He further mentioned that his government will be developing 5G technology among other things to push the country “into the new world of smart manufacturing and digital services.”

“Ladies and Gentlemen, our competitive geographical advantage is that; we are at the centre of the world. When America is waking up and Asia is going to bed, we are wide awake in the afternoon. This is why I established the Accra Digital Centre to serve as a major hub for Business Process Outsourcing.

“The NDC built the National Data Centre and also deployed 4G technology, which specifically is providing high-speed internet today and has been a major driver of online meetings via Zoom, Skype, WhatsApp among others particularly during this Covid-19 period.

“We will develop 5G technology, train more computer programmers, build a knowledge-based economy where e-commerce flourishes and moves Ghana faster into the new world of smart manufacturing and digital services. 5 This will provide decent and sustainable jobs for all Ghanaians.”