His Excellency Alhaji Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the Vice-President of the Republic of Ghana Youth Connect event occurred on March 20, 2024, at the SDD-UBIDS Campus, New Auditorium in Bamahu. The event started at 3:47 pm and provided a platform for Dr Bawumia to engage with the youth of the Upper West Region. Dr Bawumia, who is also the New Patriotic Party presidential candidate, shared his inspiring journey as a labourer in Walelwale and a taxi driver in London to pursuing his education and becoming a presidential candidate. He encouraged the youth to aim high and remain focused despite setbacks.
Dr Bawumia, in his address, proudly showcased Ghana’s technological strides, citing the victory of Prempeh Boys College at the World Robotic Challenge and Ghana’s commendable progress in digital innovation. He highlighted that Ghana had already issued 17.6 million Ghana Cards, surpassing the EU’s 2030 digital ID mandate. He underlined the card’s pivotal role in simplifying processes like passport issuance and combating payroll fraud, instilling a sense of hope and pride in the Youth.
He stated that at birth in Ghana, children would receive both a Ghana Card and a birth certificate simultaneously. He said the Ghana Card had been linked to the International Civil Aviation platform, making it internationally recognised.
He mentioned the introduction of a digital address system with GPS, mobile money interoperability, and using drones for medical deliveries.
Dr. Bawumia, in his speech, reassured the Youth about the government’s commitment to progress. He discussed significant achievements such as the Free Senior High School policy, which saw a rise in enrolment from 800,000 in 2014 to 1.4 in 2023 million students and improved WASSCE pass rates from 45% to 65% respectively. The plans to provide tablets to students and substantial investments in Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) were also highlighted, instilling a sense of confidence in the Youth about the government’s dedication to education and skill development.
He cited the digitalisation of the Passport Office and the implementation of 33 policy initiatives, including the E-Pharmacy platform as Vice President of the Republic of Ghana which is unprecedented in the history of Ghana. Dr Bawumia asserted that his accomplishments as Vice-President demonstrate his potential as President. His vision includes agricultural development to reduce poverty, especially in the northern sector, transitioning to solar power to lower living costs, implementing a competitive tax system, and creating digital jobs for the youth. He also aims to provide free tertiary education for disabled individuals, involve the private sector in infrastructure development, reduce government spending, introduce a credit system for individual credit scoring, and train teachers for persons with special needs.
