He said Ghanaians interested in coding will have the opportunity to participate in the ‘Coding for Em­ployment Programme’ targeted to train one million coders with in-de­mand digital skills for the growing Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) and Knowledge Process Outsourcing (KPO) ecosystems.

• Former President Mahama (second from right), Prof. Naana Jane Opoku Agyeman (left) and other dignitaries at the forum

Former President Mahama was speaking at the closing of a two-day NDC LAB Policy Dialogue themed “Towards the 2024 Manifesto: Consolidating Our Thematic Group Policy Proposals”, from Thursday to Friday here at Peduase.

Mr Mahama, who is the flagbear­er of the NDC for the December 7 general election, said the NDC, even in opposition, was working to hit the ground running on January 7, 2025, if elected.

“The novelty here is that we are doing this now as a government in waiting. We want to avoid being sworn into office on January 7, 2025 before commencing the prelimi­nary phase of the work. Even out of government, we are spending resources to make this inventory hit the ground running.”

“We are ready. A lot is happening. I have the utmost confidence that very soon we (Ghanaians) shall see and have a feel of a manifesto that responds to the day-to-day needs of Ghanaians and leverages our shared aspirations and common identity when it is launched. A manifesto anchored on the people’s will. We are ready, and I am prepared to lead us in building the Ghana we want together,” he stated.

According to him, the enormity of the challenges “we face today and those we will uncover would mean that we must come into government with a clear plan and a strategy. We have the plan and strategy and know exactly what to do when sworn into office on January 7, 2025”.

President Mahama said that work had already begun collecting data on all abandoned and uncompleted public infrastructure to enable the NDC undertake an inventory and assessment of all uncompleted and abandoned government projects across all sectors, particularly health and educational facilities, and make annual budgetary allocations to­wards their upgrade and completion in order of priority.

He said the 24-hour econo­my was widely accepted by most Ghanaians and remains the surest way to achieve significant economic expansion, boost productivity, meet demand, curb unbridled imports and their attendant adverse effects on the economy, currency and, above all, generate well-paying jobs for the millions of people without employment.

The former President said he was encouraged by the positive feedback and input the NDC continue to re­ceive on the proposal from compa­triots in organised labour, academia, business, and industry.

“This fits in perfectly with the consultative approach informing our policy formulation. I can reveal the completion of a policy/strategy document on the proposal, which we will soon share with the people of Ghana. We remain determined to build the Ghana we want together with all Ghanaians to collectively reap the outcomes for our shared prosperity,” he added.