Deputy Minister Urges TEIN-UCC to Embrace NDC’s Youth-Focused Policies

Deputy Minister of Education, Dr. Clement Apaak, has called on members of the Tertiary Education Institution Network of the University of Cape Coast (TEIN-UCC) to take advantage of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government’s transformative policies aimed at empowering Ghana’s youth. Speaking as a guest at the group’s conference at the University of Cape Coast on Saturday, the Builsa South MP outlined key initiatives designed to drive economic growth and job creation.

Dr. Apaak highlighted policies such as the 24-hour Economy initiative, the Women’s Development Bank, the ‘Adwumawura’ Programme, and the Digital Jobs Initiative. He emphasized that the 24-hour Economy policy seeks to transform Ghana into “an import substitution and export-led economy,” creating opportunities for sustainable growth. The Women’s Development Bank, described as a “special-purpose” institution, was touted as a vehicle for the “economic empowerment of millions of Ghanaian women.”

Focusing on youth employment, Dr. Apaak detailed the government’s Digital Jobs Initiative, which includes the recently launched One Million Coders Programme. This initiative aims to train one million young Ghanaians in digital skills such as coding, WebApp development, and software engineering to prepare them for jobs in the digital ecosystem. He also announced plans for Regional Digital Centres, modeled on the Accra Digital Centre, to expand Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) and Knowledge Process Outsourcing (KPO) sectors. Additionally, a $50 million FinTech Growth Fund will be established to support digital entrepreneurs and indigenous FinTech companies.

Addressing the TEIN-UCC members, Dr. Apaak praised the group’s pivotal role in securing the NDC’s victory in the 2024 elections. He underscored the importance of TEIN’s continued involvement in shaping national strategy. “As we look to the future, we recognize that TEIN’s role extends beyond triumph. It’s about reclaiming our voice in national strategy, shaping policies that reflect our values, and ensuring our collective aspirations are met,” he stated.

The deputy minister’s appearance at the conference provided an opportunity to update students on the progress of the six-month-old NDC administration’s policies, reinforcing the government’s commitment to youth empowerment and economic development.