Scores of youth in the Central Business District and Asafo in Kumasi, have commended President John Dramani Mahama for hints of plans to institute employable skills programmes for Ghanaian youth.
They described the plan as a good cause, which should be nurtured to address the severe unemployment situation in the country. Speaking to the Ghana News Agency in Kumasi, President Mahama delivered his first State of the Nation’s Address (SONA), the youth pledged to support the government to implement programmes meant to improve their socio-economic development.
Mr Kwame Atuahene, a Ghana Made Sandals vendor, believed when his skills were sharpened, it would help him employ others to learn and earn wealth for themselves. “We are happy this new government has the youth at heart, he should implement the national apprenticeship programme for us to expand our earnings.”
He called on the government to engage trustworthy people in facilitating such programmes for progress. Madam Erica Ansah, a second-hand clothing seller, welcomed the President’s pledge to create wealth through apprenticeship and start-up kits. She said people like her needed such assistance due to the poor and large family she belonged to.
According to her, it had always been her wish to be enrolled in an apprenticeship but had been restrained due to insufficient funds to implement it. Mr Kabila Nsor, a Senior High School leaver said the government’s plan was laudable because people would make money from learning different skills. He said the plan of the new administration to implement this project should start soon to bring relief to Ghanaian youth in terms of employment.
Others who shared similar views with the Ghana News Agency expressed optimism in the Mahama-led administration’s decision to reset Ghana, prioritizing the interests of the youth. President Mahama delivering the SONA said “Government will also launch our flagship National Apprenticeship Programme to equip ten thousand (10,000) young people in the informal sector with employable skills, including providing apprenticeship fees and start-up kits.
The youth development and the Interior ministries will facilitate training for young people in the Okada business in areas such as road safety regulations, financial literacy, and digital skills, as well as facilitate the acquisition of motorbikes. We will introduce electric motorcycles on a hire purchase scheme to eliminate the use of petrol and make the business more profitable. Again, the President indicated that Empowerment for Women and People with Disabilities Programme will also be launched this year.
The programme will target women, people with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups to build their capacity and offer them access to finance to create jobs.
Source: GNA
