THE DEPUTY Chief Executive Officer for the Middle Belt Development Authority (MBDA) Mr. Vincent Frimpong Manu Esq has asked government to consciously prioritise issues about the youth of the country.
According to him, any initiative or policy that empowers the youth to live up to their abilities and potentials would go a long to way to fastrack the country’s development.
Addressing the maiden Republic Day Summit organised by Sustainability Global and the Students Representative Council (SRC) at the Akenten Appiah Menkah University of Skills, Education and Development (AAMUSTED) Saturday morning, the Deputy CEO said the youth form 38.2% of the population in Ghana hence the need to do more to ensure their potentials are tapped for national development.
“According to the 2021 census, the youth make up 38.2% of the population and therefore more initiatives and policies should be tailored towards their empowerment including job creation and provision”, Mr Manu stated.
Challenges:
The Deputy Ceo said the youth bear the brunt of underdevelopment in every country.
He added that due to this pressure, many youth resort to several measures including legal and illegal to make ends meet.
The CEO however noted that employment avenues and empowerment initiatives including education and skill training would ensure the youth respond positively to their responsibilities.
“I believe initiatives such as what Sustainability Global majors on including skills training and social empowerment would help our youth to be focused on developing their talents “, Mr Manu suggested.
Sustainability Global Representative:
Speaking earlier, Nana Owusu Acheaw, Representative of Sustainability Global, a non-governmental organization said the summit was to encourage the youth to work to position themselves in such a way that could help them get employment.
He noted that the NGO provides training for the youth in communities in Ghana.
Currently operating from Kwadaso, the Representative said many youth continue to benefit from the training the NGO provides freely including the job opportunities it offers.
“I urge the youth to take advantage of the opportunities Sustainability Global offers and train to become employable”, the Representative stated.
Other details:
Panelists including Akua of Ghana’s Most Beautiful Fame in a group discussion noted the importance of youth empowerment.
She noted that the youth could train to become self employed.
The Deputy CEO of MBDA stated that the modern day youth with everything they are learning should bear in mind that they would be competing with others across the world.
The use of technology, he noted was therefore something that could get the Ghanaian youth to overcome challenges on the job market and secure permanent jobs.
Lecturer at AAMUSTED, Mr Asare Kotor asked students to apply for courses that would get them ready employment after school.
He also asked them to learn additional skills so that they could fit into many fields in the job market.
Story By Michael Ofosu-Afriyie,
Kumasi.
