The National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate for the Ayawaso East by-election, Baba Jamal, has outlined plans to transform Nima into an industrial hub by equipping young people with vocational skills and providing financial support to women.
According to him, research conducted within the constituency identified at least 35 viable vocational trades, including masonry and carpentry, which could be harnessed to create jobs and reduce social challenges such as drug abuse in the constituency.
“I want to turn Nima into an industrial hub. The meaning of this industrial hub is that we did research and identified 35 skills. Masonry, carpentry and others. We want to identify these areas, attach children to these areas and let them learn trade because that is the only way we can take them off the street and drug menace,” he said on TV3 NewsCentral, Thursday, February 26.
He explained that the initiative would focus on connecting young people to skilled artisans and vocational training opportunities, enabling them to acquire employable skills and become self-reliant.
Mr. Jamal also highlighted the critical role women play in the local economy, noting that a research conducted shows about 75 percent of economic activity in Nima is driven by women.
Another key component of his plan, he said, is to empower women financially by providing seed capital and interest-free loans to support their businesses and improve livelihoods.
“Another research shows that 75 percent of the economy of Nima depends on women, so we need to provide women with seed money, capital and interest-free loans,” he stated.
He revealed that he has already initiated a personal intervention to support women entrepreneurs in the constituency, with more than 400 women currently benefiting from interest-free loans he has provided.
“As I talk to you now, currently, I have over 400 women on interest free loans that I have personally instituted,” he added.
Mr. Jamal expressed optimism that expanding vocational training and improving access to capital for women would help stimulate economic growth in Nima, reduce unemployment, and address social challenges affecting the youth.
Responding to concerns about why he left his previous position as High Commissioner to contest the seat, Baba Jamal explained that “it is an opportunity for me to implement the vision I have for the area and so yes, I can serve them through Nigeria but then that would be farther from coming closer to them and dealing with them and confronting their problems directly on the ground.”
The Ayawaso East by-election which has been slated for March 3 is expected to be keenly contested. However, there is a pending legal suit at the Supreme Court seeking to bar Baba Jamal from contesting in the by-election.
The suit was filed after the NDC’s Functional Executive Committee found that Baba Jamal and other aspirants were involved in vote buying during the party’s primary.
The applicant wants the Supreme Court to order the EC to disqualify Baba Jamal from the contest.