Mr. Stephen Yakubu, the Upper East Regional Minister, has faced criticism on social media for his controversial comments regarding John Dramani Mahama’s proposal for a 24-hour economy to improve Ghana’s situation if he is re-elected as president.
The minister stated to his indigenous people that Mahama’s proposal would not allow people to spend time with their wives. He made these remarks in the presence of Mr. Anthony Namoo, the Upper East Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, and other party supporters.
The minister also claimed that the vice president understands the needs of the region and would not support Mr Mahama’s 24-hour economy policy.
“The vice president is saying that he understands the region. He says this 24 hour economy, my brothers; when we work in our farms and we are tired we have to sleep with our wives ooo. We have to be with our wives ooo.” Mr. Yakubu told the gathering.
At the 2023 Sekote Tenglebgre Festival in the Nabdam District, the Minister gave a speech on behalf of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the Vice President who was unable to attend. The festival aimed to educate the community on the importance of taking a comprehensive approach to environmental protection. Additionally, Mr. Yakubu addressed Professor Joshua Alabi and Joseph Ade Coker, who represented John Mahama at the event and promised the people a functional 24-hour economy under the next NDC government.
“In the night you want us to go and be farming and then people will come and take our wives away? Naa, chairman we have to be careful with this 24 hour thing ooo.” He concluded amidst applause by party supporters.
Background
Mahama has once again reaffirmed his commitment to empowering the young generation of Ghana by equipping them with the necessary knowledge and skills to ensure a sustainable future. Additionally, he has expressed his intention to establish a 24-hour economy.
On the occasion of 2023 International Youth Day, Mr Mahama released a statement outlining his administration’s plans to harness the full potential of agriculture and invest in essential social and IT infrastructure to drive economic growth.
Read the full statement below:
On International Youth Day, I celebrate the creativity, enterprise, and passion of Ghana’s youth. I want to use this occasion to highlight the importance of our young people as the driving force of positive change and innovation.
Our youth have been key agents of change and development throughout our nation’s history. To ensure a brighter future, we must empower a generation of skilled youth, create decent jobs, and support the youth to transform our country, Africa, and the world.
Rising unemployment, increasing cost of living, and lack of opportunities have left many young people feeling hopeless and are testing their sense of patriotism to the limit.
For me, John Dramani Mahama, and the National Democratic Congress (NDC), we are committed to urgently turning this situation around by paving the way for nurturing a generation of skilled youth.
A new NDC administration will work urgently to equip our youth with the entrepreneurial knowledge and skills needed for a sustainable future. We will introduce a 24-hour economy with incentives and tax breaks for manufacturers who will run extra shifts to create more room for employment.
We will work to ease the burden of taxes imposed by this NPP administration on Ghanaian businesses and investors, which has robbed Ghana of its envious position as one of Africa’s leading destinations for investment.
We will maximise the potential of agriculture and agribusiness and provide critical social and IT infrastructure to stimulate economic growth.
Our policy priorities will imbue our young people with the “knowledge, abilities, values and attitudes needed to live in, develop and support a sustainable and resource-efficient society” — the critical Green Skills our youth need to advance a sustainable world.
People matter, and by working together, we will build the Ghana we want and put the smiles back on the faces of our young people.
Happy International Youth Day.
