Salam Mustapha is the National Youth Organiser
The National Youth Wing of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has accused the John Dramani Mahama administration of deceiving young people with its 24-hour economy promise, describing it as a “scam.”
In a statement dated January 12, 2026, assessing President John Dramani Mahama’s first year in office, the youth wing said the NDC won overwhelming support from young voters largely on the back of promises to tackle unemployment.
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“The NDC promised a 24-hour economy as a panacea for this problem and pledged to create jobs for all through its attendant formula: one job, three shifts, and three people (1-3-3).
“However, one year down the line, this appears to be a scam perpetrated on the youth. They have been scammed out of their votes, safe to call it fraud and deception of gargantuan proportions,” portions of the statement signed by the National Youth Organiser, Salam Mustapha, read.
According to the youth wing, unemployment remains a major threat to social stability, warning the President that the situation could spiral if left unresolved.
“This jobs matter goes beyond winning elections; it is a real ticking time bomb, and such flagrant deception can trigger serious civil and political crises,” the statement cautioned.
The group cited the recent tragic incident during a military recruitment exercise at the El-Wak Stadium, which claimed six lives, to underscore the desperation among young people.
“Recently, out of desperation for jobs, six young ladies died at the El-Wak Stadium due to a stampede in their pursuit of an opportunity to enlist in the Ghana Armed Forces. This is how desperate our youth are, sir,” it said.
While acknowledging some macroeconomic gains, the youth wing said these have not translated into better living conditions for young Ghanaians.
“On a scale of one to ten (1–10), we will grade you four (4) on your performance so far. We acknowledge your performance in terms of macroeconomic indicators, a stable foreign exchange regime, and single-digit inflation, as many Ghanaians do. However, the cost of living remains high,” the group stated.
The NPP youth leadership also criticised government priorities, pointing to unemployment among trained nurses and teachers.
“Trained nurses and teachers are at home because there is no money for financial clearance, yet you found over sixty million dollars to purchase a presidential jet,” it said.
It added, “To add insult to injury, your government has sacked over 13,000 young people by directive from your office since you assumed office. The No-Fee-Stress policy for tertiary institutions is a fiasco.
“Clearly, there is no achievement for the youth in your first year in office, and very unfortunately, the 2026 Budget has nothing to benefit young people. The promise to train one million coders has been abandoned after the elections. Mr President, the report card is not good.”
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The youth wing concluded with a direct reminder to the President about why Ghanaians voted for him.
“Ghanaians voted massively for you to be President and accepted your RESET agenda. Yet, within one year, you are behaving like a supreme leader and turning our democracy into an authoritarian regime. The youth feel left on a desolate, cold, icy road, used to gain power, deceived, and now withering in hope. Your word must be your bond,” the statement concluded.
Read the statement below:
MAG/MA
Meanwhile, watch as NDC MPs and party leadership pay tribute to late Naser Toure Mahama
Source:
www.ghanaweb.com