Government is committed to youth development, private sector -Veep
Vice President John Dramani Mahama on Thursday reiterated government’s commitment towards assisting the private sector and self –employed people, in an effort to develop their innovative qualities and also boost the nation’s economy.
“Self employment is not only a means of earning income, but also an opportunity to nurture the creative potential and innovative capacities of our young people”.
Vice President Mahama who was speaking during the opening of a two -day youth entrepreneurial fair, organized by the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development for unemployed graduates, lauded the private sector for contributing towards the growth of the world’s economy.
The fair which is on the theme, “Self-Employment as a Viable Option for Young Graduates” was to encourage unemployed young people to be self employed.
It would feature presentations from entrepreneurs who have demonstrated that self employment is feasible.
Billed to address the forum are Mr Roland Agambire, Executive Director of rLG Phones, Mr Ben Akumba, an Investment Banker, and Mr Philip Ankomah, an economic advisor.
Mr Mahama noted that youth unemployment had become an emerging and disturbing trend the world over as it compromised social justice and provided the basis for social unrest.
“The problem is not only economic, but social as well, given that it has implications for their self- esteem and leadership development”.
He said due to government’s commitment towards youth development, it had signed a lot of protocols within the international community aimed at addressing issues of youth development.
He cited the provision of resources for the National Youth Employment Programme and its support for initiatives from civil society on youth development as government’s commitment to young people.
Vice President Mahama congratulated the Chief Executive Officers of Zoomlion Ghana Limited, a waste management company and UT Bank and Financial Services for winning the Ernst and Young awards in entrepreneurship.
He advised young people to desist from availing themselves to be used by influential people to cause mayhem, as such acts would not provide them with resources they needed to sustain themselves.
Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, Minister for Local Government and rural Development, said the fair was part of the Ministry’s strategy aimed at encouraging local economic development through self employment, innovation and creativity by young people.
“We have also developed a specialized entrepreneurship training project for 500 young people from all the 10 regions of the country to be delivered through the Institute of Local Government Studies”.
Source: GNA