Presidential Candidate of the Peoples National Convention (PNC), Dr. Edward Nasigiri Mahama, says the time has come for Ghana to work hard to avoid the democratic uprisings that swept across the Arab World in 2011due to despotism and economic inertia.
To achieve that, he said the government must work to create employment opportunities for the teeming unemployed youth, most of which, have graduated with various degrees and academic credentials from the tertiary institutions nationwide.
He said if one looks at the growing unemployment rate in the country, it would require a visionary leader to address the challenge which has become a threat to national security.
To that effect, he said it only a vote for the PNC and himself in the coming general elections that situation could be averted because he has an antidote to it.
Campaigning on the theme ‘New Beginnings; New Deal; New Force’, Dr. Edward Mahama said when voted to govern the nation, his administration under the ‘New Force’ agenda, will target the ages from 18 to 35 years where he would ensure that they are gainfully employed to avoid any possible chaos they may spring on the nation like it happened in the Arab World in 2011.
Dr. Mahama made the call when he delivered a peace message at the National Peace Summit which was jointly organized by the Rotary Club, Accra – Legon and EIB Network at the Kofi Annan International Peace Training Center on Saturday.
On December 17, 2010, the central Tunisian town of Sidi Bouzid witnessed one of the horrific moments in the history of the country. Street vendor, Mohamed Bouazizi set himself ablaze as a result of economic challenges he was going through.
This act of desperation ignited the Arab Spring which swept across countries, especially, Arab nations.
Dr. Mahama commenting further said it was about to inspire the teeming unemployed youth with hope that they have a future.
“I believe that the young people are like atoms that we used to make either an atomic bomb or an atomic reactor. If you make an atomic bomb, you destroy. If you make an atomic reactor you produce energy. Some of you don’t know – Nkrumah wanted to produce an atomic reactor and the coup came and the reactors were picked up and sent somewhere. So, if these young people are not mobilized, given hope and given employment and are roaming the streets, we are going to have what is similar to the Arab Spring. If you ask Tunisia they are still reeling from it. If you ask Egypt they are still reeling from it. We should not let our young people get so desperate that they will go to the Flagstaff House and cease the country by force”, he noted.
