NDC Youth Force fires warning at Mahama over jobs, teachers, 24-Hour Economy

The NDC Youth Force has mounted pressure on President John Dramani Mahama’s government to deliver on its employment promises, warning that young people who helped bring the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to power are still waiting for meaningful opportunities, particularly in youth employment, teacher recruitment and the much-publicised 24-Hour Economy policy.

In a statement issued ahead of Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson’s presentation of the 2027 Budget Statement and Economic Policy to Parliament on Thursday, November 12, 2026, the group urged the government to make job creation a central priority of its economic programme.

The group acknowledged some interventions introduced by the government, including the One Million Youth in Coding initiative, the Edwumawura programme and the continued operations of the Youth Employment Agency (YEA). However, it argued that these initiatives must be expanded, adequately funded and implemented with greater urgency to address the scale of unemployment among young Ghanaians.

According to the NDC Youth Force, the party secured a strong mandate in the 2025 elections because young people believed in its promises to restore hope, create jobs and build an economy that provides opportunities for all.

It, however, expressed concern over growing dissatisfaction among young people, particularly on social media, over limited job opportunities and delays in fulfilling some of the party’s campaign commitments.

24-Hour Economy, teacher recruitment under scrutiny

The group identified the 24-Hour Economy as one of the major campaign promises requiring urgent attention, describing it as a defining commitment that gave many young people hope ahead of the 2024 general elections.

The policy was presented as a strategy to increase production, expand business operations and create employment through a three-shift working system.

However, the NDC Youth Force believes the initiative has yet to receive the level of policy attention, investment and implementation required to deliver its promised benefits.

"We urge government to return to the drawing board and give the 24-Hour Economy the serious policy attention, investment, and implementation framework it deserves," the statement said.

"The youth cannot continue to wait indefinitely for a promise that gave them so much hope."

The group also raised concerns over the employment situation of newly qualified teachers, particularly graduates from Colleges of Education who are still awaiting recruitment and posting.

The statement signed by Godfred Seyram on behalf of the NDC Youth Force, the group recalled the NDC’s campaign commitment to scrap the mandatory national service requirement for Colleges of Education graduates and ensure their prompt employment and posting after completing their training.

According to the group, thousands of qualified teachers remain unemployed, even as several schools across the country continue to experience teacher shortages.

It warned that the situation not only undermines the expectations of young graduates but also threatens the quality of education delivery.

What NDC Youth Force wants in the 2027 Budget

With the 2027 Budget approaching, the group wants the Finance Minister to outline concrete measures that will translate the government's employment promises into opportunities for young people.

Specifically, it is demanding dedicated funding for large-scale youth employment programmes, a practical implementation roadmap for the 24-Hour Economy and the immediate recruitment and automatic posting of qualified teachers from Colleges of Education.

It is also calling for increased investment in skills training, digital employment, entrepreneurship and the growth of local businesses.

Beyond employment, the group wants young people at the grassroots level to have greater access to government programmes and representation in party decision-making.

The NDC Youth Force maintained that grassroots supporters who stood by the party during its time in opposition must not be forgotten now that it is in government.

"Our grassroots remain the strength of the NDC. They stood with the party when it was in opposition, and they deserve to see real change in their lives," the statement said.

Quoting a popular saying, the group added: "Whoever held your hand when you fell is the first face you see when you rise."

It therefore urged the Mahama administration to use the 2027 Budget to demonstrate its commitment to the promises that secured the party's electoral victory, insisting that young Ghanaians deserve tangible results in the form of jobs, opportunities and improved livelihoods.

EA