One thousand applicants want job at NYEP

About one thousand applicants have applied to secure a job under the National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP) in the Mpohor Wassa East District. The number is expected to rise when other modules of the programme takes off next year. Currently five modules are being run at the District. This includes Community Protection Unit (CPU), Auxiliary Health Assistant (AHA), Teaching Assistant, Sanitation guards and zoom lion.

The Mpohor Wassa East District Co-ordinator of the NYEP, Mr. Boakye Yiadom disclosed this in an interview with the Information Services Department at Daboase in the Western Region.

He hinted that six new modules will be introduced next year to create employment opportunities for the unemployed in the district, explaining that the new modules will focus on areas such as Fire Service, Immigration, Custom Excise and Preventive Services (CEPS), Agriculture and Afforestation.

Mr. Boakye Yiadom further said the programme is training ten persons in Information Communication Technology (ICT), saying that the motive is to equip the trainees with employable skills so they could establish their own firms and employ others.

He assured existing beneficiaries of the programme not to entertain any fear that the new government will lay them off and sign up new persons, rather government will add to the numbers. He added that plans are far advanced to pay all outstanding arrears due them before next year.

Asked why some have been on the programme for more than three years, Mr. Boakye Yiadom said although the programme does not offer a permanent job, they could not be fired since they have not been able to secure a job yet, stressing that their experience is also required.

He reiterated that all existing teaching vacant positions in the district will be filled next year in order to augment teaching staff in the district.

According to the coordinator, Newmont Ghana has promised to adopt the programme in the district so they could assist the office with logistics and facilities to enhance their performance.
Touching on the challenges confronting the programme, Mr.Boakye Yiadom said there is no official vehicle assigned for the programme making monitoring and mobilization a herculean task to perform.

He also complained about the exemption of the co-ordinator from being a signatory to the NYEP account, adding that about GH¢300million is sitting in the account whilst funds are needed to run the office. He therefore called for the inclusion of the NYEP Coordinator as one of the signatories to the account.

Mr. Boakye Yiadom, however, expressed appreciation to the district assembly for assisting the programme whenever they are called upon.



SUBMITTED BY:
FRANK KWABENA DANSO, I S D
DABOASE.