Dr. Kwaku Asiedu Nketia Jnr., has reaffirmed the National Democratic Congress commitment to youth empowerment and job creation, urging young Ghanaians to align with what he described as a “party of hope, prudence, and integrity.”
Speaking to a gathering on the state of governance and opportunities under the current administration, Dr. Asiedu Nketia said the NDC has consistently created avenues for young people to thrive in both political and business spheres.
He pointed to what he described as a well-organized administration under President John Dramani Mahama, noting that several young individuals have been given key roles in governance.
According to him, a number of appointees, including Sammy Gyamfi, Eric Adjei, Malik Basintale, and Edudzi, are products of the party’s youth structures, particularly the Tertiary Education Institutions Network (TEIN).
He argued that this reflects the NDC’s deliberate effort to nurture young leadership, a feat he claimed cannot be matched by their political opponents.
Addressing concerns over rising unemployment, Dr. Asiedu Nketia noted that more than 500,000 job applications received in recent recruitment exercises reflect a broader demand for employment rather than a specific interest in security services.
He cited international benchmarks, explaining that by United Nations standards, Ghana would require about 70,000 police officers for its population of approximately 35 million, compared to the current strength of just over 40,000.
He, however, admitted that it would be impossible to employ all applicants at once, stressing that the government’s approach is focused on long-term job creation through economic stabilization.
“The first responsibility of any government is to stabilize the economy, and that has been achieved,” he stated, pointing to reduced inflation and relative currency stability as indicators.
He explained that such conditions are necessary to attract investment, which in turn leads to sustainable job creation.
Dr. Asiedu Nketia emphasized that while recruitment into the security services forms part of the employment drive, it represents only one aspect of a broader strategy. He indicated that multiple ministries are rolling out programmes aimed at expanding job opportunities for the youth.
He attributed current economic challenges to what he described as the mismanagement of the previous administration, arguing that a stronger economic foundation would have enabled the country to meet employment targets, including international policing standards.
Touching on concerns among party supporters, he dismissed claims that NDC appointees have neglected the grassroots. He said such perceptions stem from the government’s focus on stabilizing the economy after inheriting a difficult situation.
He further highlighted the roles of key state institutions, including the Gold Board and the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), as examples of appointees working to restore stability and improve governance outcomes.
Dr. Asiedu Nketia also accused the opposition of spreading misinformation to create disaffection within the party, urging supporters to remain confident in the leadership of President Mahama and the NDC.
“The base has not been neglected,” he assured. “At the right time, as the system stabilizes, more opportunities will be extended to all.”
He encouraged young people to maintain faith in the party’s vision, insisting that the NDC remains committed to delivering sustainable jobs and inclusive growth for Ghana’s future.