Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia
The flagbearer of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has stated that he plans to train one million youth in Information Technology (IT) in order to create digital jobs for them.
According to him, Ghanaian youth have an aptitude for it and all that they need is the skill, not academic credentials to take up the digital jobs around the globe.
Dr. Bawumia said this yesterday during a meeting with the clergy in Cape Coast, which marked the start of his campaign tour in the Central Region.
“I want to train a million youth in IT skills and to create jobs because you do not need to even have a certificate. All they need is to be able to read and write.
“We are starting it with some kayayeis. We want to train them in digital skills. Our children have an aptitude for it. They don’t even need qualifications, but if they can read and write we can train them,” the Vice President told his audience.
He continued, “And when we train them they can sit here in Cape Coast or wherever and be working in America, Canada, or Australia on their tablets. They don’t have to travel.”
Dr. Bawumia noted that as the world becomes more digital, Ghana must prepare its youth to take advantage of available job opportunities being created in that space.
Sport & Tourism
The NPP flagbearer also stated that he has found significant job creation potential in the tourism sector and will focus on it if elected President to create the necessary jobs for the youth.
“The creative art is a huge area for the job creation for the youth and we have to do it,” he asserted.
Dr. Bawumia told the clergymen that sport is another huge area that requires investment, saying, “I see Ghana really being transformed.”
“I want to conclude by saying that in me, why I want you to support me to become President is that the work I have done as a Vice President, everybody says I have been the most impactful Vice President in the history of Ghana.
“Even as a Vice President without authority, I have done something. What it means is that if you promote me I will do better things,” he intimated.
KIA E-Gates
Dr. Bawumia at the meeting also announced the government’s plans to install e-gates at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) by the end of this year.
According to him, these automatic gates will eliminate the need for passengers to go through immigration checks upon arrival.
He explained the only Ghana Card would be required to verify a person’s identity and allow him or her to enter the country without speaking with an immigration officer.
“In fact, before the end of this year, if you arrive in Ghana at the Kotoka Airport, you won’t need to go to an immigration officer. We are putting together the e-gates. You put in your Ghana Card, it will open for you, and you pass and enter,” he indicated.
The NPP flagbearer stressed, “the e-gates will work in Ghana before the end of this year.”
“We don’t have to waste time doing things that we don’t have to waste time on. Let’s get things done productively and then we will make so much happen.”
The Vice President emphasised the government’s commitment to digitising most governmental institutions so that Ghanaians can access services more easily and quickly.
By Ernest Kofi Adu