Veep launches Kayayei empowerment initiative

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May 21, 2024
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The Vice-President and NPP Flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has launched the Kayayei Empowerment Programme, an initiative of the Youth Employment Agency (YEA). It is aimed at upskilling head porters, and providing them with transitional job avenues to improve their socio-economic well-being.

Commissioning skills training centres for the initiative yesterday, Dr. Bawumia stated: “When we promised to do all these for the Kayayei, many thought it was not possible, but I knew that it was possible. We promised in 2020, and we have fulfilled that promise. A society that does not take care of its poor and vulnerable is not a good society.”

He indicated that the centres would help empower the Kayayei, and bring a gradual end to the Kayayei phenomenon. According to him, the Kayayei phenomenon is not new in Ghana.

“When the Akufo-Addo government took over in 2017, it immediately recognized the plight of the Kayayei. During a visit to Agbogbloshie in 2019, I was deeply moved by their struggles and promised on behalf of the government to address the issue,” he said.

Dr. Bawumia said the government had been focused on how to support the poor and vulnerable, seeking help from other institutions to roll out various programmes, including the Zongo Development Fund and assistance for sickle cell sufferers, lepers and persons with disabilities, among others.

The newly built accommodation facilities in Madina and Ashaiman, suburbs of Accra, will serve as hostels and training centres for the head porters. Dr Bawumia noted that this initiative aligns with the government’s efforts to address the challenges faced by vulnerable groups in society, and provide a positive outlook for the future of Kayayei in terms of both shelter and skill development.

Dr. Bawumia reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the programme, and urged Kayayei to take advantage of the training to transform their lives.

For his part, the Chief Executive Officer of the Youth Employment Agency (YEA), Kofi Adjei Agyepong, revealed that the programme was being made possible through partnerships with YEA, GEA, CTVET, TVET, the Father Campbell Foundation, GETFund, and the District Assemblies Common Fund.

He stated that head porters across the country face numerous problems, including lack of shelter, harassment, depression, inadequate medical care, and insufficient income. The initiative, he indicated, aims to empower them by providing decent accommodation and job training skills.

“Our programme adopts a rigorous recruitment process, offering training in crucial skills such as baking, beading, soap making, and more. Additionally, we cover essential soft skills like personal health care and financial literacy to ensure holistic development,” he stated.

“The initial training phase aims to empower 5,000 head porters, starting with batches of 600 at our dedicated residential facilities in Madina and Ashaiman. Participants will receive stipends during their training to offset any loss of income from their usual trade, ensuring they can fully commit to their new journey without financial strain.

“The Youth Employment Agency will pay these monthly stipends of GHS 1,000 per month for every Kayayei trainee. As of today, May 21, 2024, we do not owe any of our beneficiaries, and each of them has been duly and fully paid regularly.”

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Politics

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October 8, 2024
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3 minutes Read

Bawumia has disarmed NDC’s ethnocentric strategy- Kwabena Agyepong

Mr. Kwabena Agyei Agyepong, Senior Campaign Advisor to Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer, has stated that Dr. Bawumia’s candidacy has effectively disarmed the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), neutralizing the party’s ethnocentric campaign strategy.

In an interview on Channel One TV’s The Point of View, Mr. Agyepong explained that the NDC had historically relied on an ethnically charged narrative to portray the NPP as an “Akan party” in an effort to win over voters, particularly from the northern regions and Zongo communities. However, he said, this narrative had been significantly disrupted with the election of Dr. Bawumia, Northerner and Muslim, as the NPP’s 2024 flagbearer.

According to Agyepong, Dr. Bawumia’s selection signalled a new chapter in Ghanaian politics, where ethnicity and religion no longer defined party allegiance. He noted that Dr Bawumia’s candidacy exemplified the NPP’s commitment to inclusivity and national unity, moving beyond traditional ethnic lines.

“This is the first time in Ghana’s political history that the NPP has selected a Northern Muslim as its flagbearer, and this has completely disarmed the NDC’s ethnocentric propaganda, which they have used to great effect since the 1980s,” Mr. Agyepong noted.

He pointed out that, for decades, the NDC had leaned on the historical Alien Compliance Order and similar events to foster ethnic divisions, accusing the NPP of marginalizing people from northern Ghana. With Dr. Bawumia leading the NPP, Mr Agyepong believes the opposition’s main weapon has been taken away.

“I’m pretty confident that we may surprise a few in Accra. For the first time, electing Dr. Bawumia has disarmed the NDC of their most potent propaganda weapon. Since 1982, they have been masters in ethnocentric campaigns, labeling the NPP as an Ashanti or Akan party. But now, that message has no foundation,” he emphasised.

Mr Agyepong further recalled how NDC members, including its General Secretary, Fifi Kwetey, doubted whether the NPP would ever allow Dr. Bawumia to lead, due to his background. “Their candidate publicly questioned whether Dr. Bawumia would be given the nod, saying the NPP was an ‘Akan party’ that would never allow a Northerner to lead. But the party thought otherwise, and voted overwhelmingly for Dr Bawumia, with 61% of the vote. Now, the NDC is struggling to find a coherent message,” he remarked.

Despite the challenges the NPP faces, including internal divisions, Mr. Agyepong expressed confidence in the party’s prospects ahead of the 2024 general elections. He highlighted Dr. Bawumia’s leadership as a unifying force that strengthens the party’s appeal, particularly in swing regions such as Greater Accra.

He also noted the NPP’s growing influence in traditionally NDC-dominated areas, stating, “We’re now fighting them on their turf, in areas we previously didn’t have a strong presence. Our grassroots support is very strong, and with Bawumia at the helm, we are positioned to win over voters in regions where the NPP was once less competitive.”

Politics

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October 5, 2024
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2 minutes Read

NPP PCs urged to spend at least 4 days weekly in constituencies

The leadership of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) has issued a directive mandating all its parliamentary candidates to spend a “minimum of four days per week” in their respective constituencies to strengthen their campaign efforts ahead of the upcoming December 7 general elections.

According to the press statement issued by the General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong on Friday, October 4, the party has observed that some parliamentary candidates are not consistently present in their constituencies.

It said that the lack of engagement raises concerns about the potential impact on the party’s performance in both presidential and parliamentary elections.

“You should know that this lack of engagement would significantly affect our electoral fortunes in both presidential and parliamentary elections,” part of the statement read.

In light of this, the party has taken the matter seriously and expects all parliamentary candidates to dedicate sufficient time to engage with constituents.

The party has also directed regional campaign teams to monitor and report on the activities of the candidates.

“The regional campaign teams are hereby directed to submit weekly reports of the activities of their parliamentary candidates to the National Secretariat. We trust in your usual attention and cooperation in this matter,” the statement added.