African leaders tasked to address youth unemployment

Former German President Horst Kohler, has called on African leaders to demonstrate commitment towards addressing the growing youth unemployment on the continent.

This, he said, demanded strengthening the private sector, particularly small-scale medium enterprises, to enable the leaders create job openings, reduce poverty and anchor economic development.

The former German President said in Germany more than 80 per cent of jobs were generated by the private sector.

He was interacting with students of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, after performing the ceremony for construction work to start on the John Agyekum Kufour Presidential Library and Museum.

The former German President was there with former President John Agyekum Kufour of Ghana and former President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa.

The project is collaboration between the University and the John Agyekum Kufour Foundation, which seeks to advocate and promote leadership and democratic governance in Africa.

It was initiative of the ex-Ghanaian President.

The former German President asked African leaders to work hard and pool resource to address the problems of poverty, corruption, governance and climate change.

He called on the leaders to uphold the rule of law, freedom of speech and social equity, to help bring comfort to the people.

The former German President Kohler praised ex-President Kufuor for his vision, and said former President Kufuor distinguished himself as a worthy leader during his eight-year rule in good governance, poverty alleviation and deepening democracy.

Former President Mbeki said he was confident that the project would go a long way to enhance academic work and broaden the knowledge of students.

Ex-President Kufour said the Foundation would assist in strengthening electoral systems in Africa to promote democracy.

He said it would support efforts at ensuring transparency, conflict resolution and mediation.

Source: GNA