Government inaugurates Youth Employment Agency Board
A nine-member Youth Employment Agency (YEA) Board has been inaugurated to steer the affairs of the organisation in policy direction and operational strategies towards generating employment for the youth.
The Board was also charged to make the procurement services of YEA transparent for its mandate of serving the youth to be achieved over its four- year tenure.
The Board has Mr Samuel A. Jabanyite as Chairman, with Mr Haruna Iddrisu, the Minister of Employment and Labour Relations, Mr Vincent Kuagbenu, Chief Executive Officer, Ms Alice Attipoe, Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations and Mrs Emma Akua Amankwa, a lawyer, as members.
The others members are Ms Frieda Yandanbon Billa, a Development Worker, Mr Ras Mubarak, the National Coordinator of the National Youth Authority, Mr Eugene Korletey and Mr Courage K. Barlon.
Addressing the ceremony, Mr Iddrisu noted that the YEA intended recruiting 100,000 youth, including the vulnerable in society.
He, therefore, tasked the Board to involve the vulnerable in society, such as the disabled who deserved employment and dignity.
He said it was the core mandate of the Government to provide livelihood for the teaming number of unemployed youth for them to contribute to the development of their families and the nation.
“In this direction, a 1000 youth, comprising 500 “kayayes” and 500 others will be employed in the art making industry,” he said.
Mr Iddrisu challenged the board to establish both Regional and District offices of the Agency in all the regions to help promote constant interaction between members as well as to check on their activities.
“YEA of today is not the same as GYEEDA of yesterday as it will be governed by law and not on the whims of individuals,” he cautioned.
On funding, the Minister explained that: “By the dictate of Act 887, funds from the following sources and agencies would finance the activities of YEA:
“Eighty per cent of the Communication Service Tax, 10 per cent of District Assembly Common Fund subject to a formula approved by Parliament in accordance with article 252 of the Constitution.
“Five per cent of the Ghana Education Trust Fund subject to a formula approved by Parliament in accordance with the Ghana Education Trust Act, 2000 (Act 581) and donations, gifts and grants” .
Mr Jabanyite, on behalf of his colleagues, expressed gratitude for the appointment, and pledged to ensure the success of YEA.
“We are going to work as a team who will collaborate with existing agencies and Ministries to ensure that the purpose of the Act establishing the Agency is fulfilled, especially when the pace at which the job is provided at both the private and public sector is far out spaced.
“The Agency will provide jobs for the youth and give them the opportunity to explore their skills,” Mr Jabanyite said.
Source: GNA