‘Lack of jobs has pushed many youth into betting for survival’ — Joyce Bawah

Joyce Bawah Mogtari, spokesperson for the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer John Dramani Mahama’s campaign, has highlighted the economic hardships facing young Ghanaians, pointing to a lack of job opportunities as the primary driver of many into betting as a means of survival.

In a social media post on Thursday, November 14, Mogtari reflected on the NDC campaign’s engagements with citizens across the country, describing a situation of high unemployment and disillusionment among Ghana’s youth.

“Lack of jobs and employment and the many youth whose only option nowadays is to resort to betting as a means of survival,” she wrote.

The former deputy minister continued by describing “harrowing stories” of hardship shared by citizens across Ghana, blaming economic mismanagement and a “poor and bankrupt economy” for the ongoing struggle.

In her post, she emphasized the importance of creating a sustainable economy that can offer viable employment opportunities to young people, whom she described as having “now lost all hope” due to the country’s economic conditions.

The NDC’s flagship promises include creating jobs through a proposed “#24HourEconomy,” revisiting and completing stalled infrastructure projects, and implementing policies aimed at rebuilding public trust and combating corruption.

Mogtari expressed optimism that with Mahama’s NDC administration, Ghana could look toward a brighter economic future.

“We owe our children, and our young people a better future, a better economy, more jobs, and better opportunities for all,” Mogtari wrote, urging Ghanaians to vote for “change” in the 2024 elections, which she believes will bring about these improvements.