The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has assured the Chief Executive Officer of the Youth Employment Agency (YEA) and the Labour Minister that he would look into the appeal of facilitating the recruitment of persons under the security services module so they can be made permanent staff of same.

Addressing the maiden YEA Beneficiaries Forum in Kumasi on Wednesday, the President said it was understanding that persons who have been trained on the security agencies modules to be given the chance to gain entry into the Fire service, Police, Immigration, the Prisons Service and others.

He, has, therefore, tasked the Labour Minister to present a written proposal before cabinet for a thorough discussion as soon as possible.

“I am convinced by your appeal and i believe it is important that we make opportunities of permanent employment available to persons who have been trained under modules in the security agencies and I therefore task the Labour Minister to table the proposal before cabinet in the next sitting so we can discuss further and explore the possibility of granting the request”, the President stated.

Employment:

The President commended the YEA CEO, Kofi Baah Agyepong for diligently exploring life changing modules under the agency.

These modules, the President stated had enabled most of the youth who were without jobs to get some training to become useful to the society.

He said the huge numbers under the current YEA administration and modules was testament that with the right leadership unemployment could be tackled head on and reduced drastically.

“I must commend Kofi Baah Agyepong, the CEO of the YEA, for doing all he can to get the youth of the country some high level of training and the opportunity to work under these modules which undoubtedly has helped to reduce unemployment in the country”, the President lauded.

Labour Minister:

On his part, the Minister for Pensions, Labour Relations and Employment, Hon Ignatius Baffuor Awuah thanked the President for investing in the YEA consistently for 7 and half years.

These investments, he noted, had in the past seven (7) years provided employment for at least 500, 000 people.

He noted that every year, 100, 000 people get enrolled onto the 17 modules under the YEA, adding that these recruits stay on for at least two years before they exit the respective modules.

“Mr President I must commend you for choosing to invest in the YEA and for the past seven (7) years and more i can say that at least you have provided opportunities and employment avenues for at least 500, 000 youth between the ages of 15 and 37 and i must add that the YEA Management and Board have also been very innovative and instrumental in getting these huge numbers some high level of training and employment opportunities”, the Labour Minister stressed.

Chief Executive Officer:

Kofi Baah Agyepong, Chief Executive Officer at YEA, thanked the President for his commitment to dealing with youth unemployment.

He noted that the investments under the YEA was proof that the President wants to end the issue of youth unemployment in Ghana.

Mr Agyepong explained that the YEA Beneficiaries Forum was an initiative to provide a platform for beneficiaries to share at first hand challenges and issues they may have under the 17 modules as they sit to brainstorm with management and experts in providing solutions for same.

“Ours is a commitment to making the YEA an agency where the youth can find solace in getting training, skills and permanent jobs in the future and we thank the President and the Labour Minister for showing commitment to same so that we can have a highly trained and qualified workforce in Ghana”, the CEO posited.

Story By Michael Ofosu-Afriyie, Kumasi.