By King Amoah
In the heart of Kumasi, a palpable sense of frustration and disappointment echoes among former workers of the Nation Builders Corps (NABCO) as they grapple with the aftermath of a program that was once seen as a beacon of hope for jobs in Ghana.
Charles Mingle, a disheartened former NABCO worker, has recently voiced his concerns about Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, who is currently campaigning as the flagbearer for the New Patriotic Party (NPP). Mingle’s accusations reveal a rift between government promises and the realities faced by those who were part of the NABCO initiative.
NABCO was launched with the promise of creating temporary employment for thousands of young Ghanaians, with Bawumia himself claiming that the initiative would produce 100,000 jobs.
However, Mingle and his fellow former NABCO workers argue that instead of fulfilling its primary mission of job creation, the program has crumbled, leaving many without the salaries they were promised. “It’s shocking how Bawumia claims that his government has created over 3 million jobs in the country,” Mingle stated, questioning the veracity of such claims,
“How can he possibly pay these workers every month when he failed to pay us during the NABCO initiative?”
The crux of Mingle’s frustration lies not only in the non-payment of salaries during the NABCO era but also in the ongoing political rhetoric that appears disconnected from the reality faced by the affected workers.
As Bawumia continues to tout his government’s achievements, Mingle sees these statements as misguided and misleading. “It’s a big shame because you cannot hide under the principle of democracy to deceive Ghanaians,” he boldly asserted, urging Bawumia to cease what he describes as a “dirty campaign” and instead confront the truth about the NABCO program’s failure.
Adding a moral dimension to his plea, Mingle invoked the principles of truth espoused within the Quran, emphasizing that political leaders must hold themselves accountable and prioritize honesty.
The Islamic faith underscores the importance of truth and transparency; Mingle believes these principles should also extend to the political arena, particularly in a democratic society where leaders are expected to serve the people with integrity.
The sentiments shared by Mingle reflect a broader disillusionment among former NABCO workers, many of whom invested their hopes in a program that was supposed to provide stability and financial independence. Instead, they now face uncertainty and a lack of support, leaving them to question the efficacy of government claims touting job creation.
