The Member of Parliament for Ablekuma South Constituency, who is also a member on the Youth and Sports Committee of Parliament, Hon. Alfred Okoe Vanderpuije, has cautioned that Ghanaians will do a disservice to the country, if they do not work hard as a nation to create space for the youth to be employed.

As he bemoans the lack of employment opportunities for the youths, the vociferous MP indicated that employment to the youths will help minimize crime rate in the country, and will also ensure that the various communities strive for the Ghanaian society to become a vibrant one.

“We will do a disservice to our country if we do not work hard as a nation to create space for our youth to be employed. Youth employment will ensure that crime goes down, our various communities will strive and the Ghanaian society becomes a vibrant one”. He emphasized.

In an exclusive interview with http://www.newslinegh.com, Hon. Okoe Vanderpuije admitted that the high rate of unemployment confronting the nation is deteriorating and challenge to national development, hence the need for various State Authorities to assist the youth in job creation

According to Hon. Vanderpuije, if much attention is not given to the youth in the area of job opportunities, they will feel neglected and resort in search for greener pasture.

He also pointed out that if the youth are gainfully employed, they will somehow contribute to both the country and to their various communities.

Adding that youth employment will contribute to savings in the banking sector and the circulation of funds to be made available for national development.

Hon. Vanderpuije also suggested that the economic space of the country should be conducive to make the youth stay in the country, and also attract the youth abroad to contribute their quota to national development.

The Ablekuma South Legislator pledged to continue advocating for the youths at the Committee level for the necessary steps to be taken to ensure that, the high rate of unemployment amongst the youths of this country is resolved.

 

Youth unemployment: The statistics

According to Trading Economics, Unemployment Rate in Ghana increased to 2.40 percent in 2017 from 2.30 percent in 2016.

Unemployment Rate in Ghana averaged 5.41 percent from 1991 until 2017, reaching an all time high of 10.40 percent in 2000 and a record low of 2.20 percent in 2013.

Similarly, the 2015 Ghana Labour Force Survey Report commissioned by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) also revealed that more than 1.2 million persons from 15 years and older are estimated to be unemployed, representing the total unemployment rate of 11.9%, according to the Labour Force Survey Report.

Of this number, about 714,916 are females, representing 57.2 per cent and 535,997 for males representing 42.8%.

The Youth Employment Authority Act 2015 (Act 887)

The Youth Employment Act 2015 (Act 887) in Section 20 states that ”the Agency shall develop programmes and employment modules for youth employment which shall be reviewed every two years.

21. (1) The Agency may collaborate with a Private Sector Partner Service Provider in preparing proposals in respect of modules and programmes.

(2) The Agency may engage a Private Sector Partner Service Provider in accordance with financial and administrative enactments for the implementation of modules and programmes
Offences

22. (1) The Agency and a Service Provider engaged by the Agency shall operate, recruit and employ persons in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651)”.

 

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