The National Youth Wing of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has strongly opposed what it describes as the Mahama administration’s intention to cancel nursing and teacher trainee allowances, labelling the move as deceptive and a betrayal of students who voted for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the 2024 elections.
In a statement signed by the NPP’s National Youth Organizer, Salam Mustapha, the group accused President John Mahama’s government of backtracking on its campaign promise to maintain and promptly pay the allowances.
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“We are gobsmacked to notice the intention to cancel teacher and nursing training allowances in flagrant contrast to their promise to rather be prompt on payments during the 2024 election campaign. This amounts to deception and smacks of scam as these students fell for the promises of the NDC and voted massively for the same,” the statement read.
Policy shift
The youth wing dismissed arguments that the government seeks to replace the allowances with an enhanced student loan scheme, stating that teacher and nursing training colleges have not attained university status, which would justify such a change.
“It is lame to argue that this government wants to cancel the allowances and rather improve the students’ loan facility for all students across third-cycle educational institutions. The fact is that teacher and nursing training schools remain colleges and have not been given university status, which would have made the government’s argument sensible,” the statement added.
Attacks on students
The NPP youth wing also criticized the alleged conduct of Kevin Taylor, a media personality associated with the NDC, accusing him of using offensive language against the affected students.
“Painfully, as if the chicanery and mendacity by President John Mahama and his government are not enough, they have gone ahead to release their dreaded internet goon, Kevin Taylor, to insult and disparage the students. He has descended on the trainees heavily, describing them as prostitutes, fools, and other condescending remarks that we cannot reproduce here,” the statement alleged.
The group is demanding an apology from the Mahama administration and an immediate reversal of any plans to scrap the allowances. It has also called on students to protest against what it describes as political deception and an attack on their dignity.
“The National Youth Wing of the NPP will stand with you and fight with you for the restoration of your dignity,” the statement concluded.
