NDC will review the Labour Act, 2003 — Mahama

John Dramani Mahama, Presidential Candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has revealed that the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651) will be reviewed to mandate four months of paid maternity leave for mothers, in addition to other existing legal maternity provisions.

“My next government will amend the law to provide maternity leave and mental health support for mothers coping with stillbirths or infant loss post-childbirth.

“We will develop a regulatory policy and legal framework for assisted reproductive technology to ensure the protection and well-being of all parties involved, including patients, donors, and medical professionals, while maintaining ethical standards and safeguarding the rights and interests of each Party.

“We will introduce paternity leave to promote parental engagement and work-life balance,” the NDC Presidential Candidate, who occupies the 8th position on the presidential ballot paper, stated in the party’s 2024 manifesto, captioned “Resetting Ghana: Jobs, Accountability, and Prosperity,” stated on the subtheme “investing in people for inclusive growth.”

Former President Mahama said based on his past experience as an Assemblyman, Member of Parliament, Minister of State, Vice President, and later as President of Ghana, has shaped his understanding of the problems facing Ghanaians.

He said his government will pass the Social Protection and Aged Persons Bill to cater for vulnerable and marginalized groups and strengthen institutions coordinating social protection at all levels to ensure efficiency and sustained financing.

“We will complete the Ghana Household Registry to enhance the targeting of vulnerable groups in social protection, build the capacity of social workers, and offer enhanced employment opportunities for graduates from the School of Social Work.

“We will provide educational scholarship and develop a special skills training and social assistance Programme for Kayayei and offer comprehensive support services, including school enrolment opportunities, skills training, and micro-entrepreneurship support for children and out-of-school adolescents, to address streetism and rural-urban migration, among others.

“We will review the National Health Insurance Act, 2012 (Act 852) to extend free NHIS coverage to all extremely poor households,” the NDC presidential candidate stated.

Former President Mahama noted the urgent need to enhance accessibility to essential primary healthcare services for persons with disabilities (PWDs) and the elderly by providing, among others, sign language.

“We will implement an iron supplementation project, especially in rural areas, to reduce and subsequently eliminate anaemia in under-5-year-olds,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr. Mahama said the next government will support the local production of laboratory diagnostics.

Mr. Mahama therefore called on the electorates to vote massively for him as President and all NDC Parliamentary Candidates across the country to form the next government.