NPP Topshot Dares Government Critics

Koforidua, Oct. 20, Chronicle -- The Eastern Regional chairman of the New Patritic Party (NPP), Nana Adi Ankamah, has challenged critics who claim the government has not done anything since it took power to look on the ground and they would see things themselves.

"If they continue to look up into the skies all because they are refusing to see things done by the government they would be misdirected to destruction," he advised the critics.

Nana Adi Ankamah stated these when reacting to complaints registered with The Chronicle about the first employment of youth training programme at Koforidua recently.

On May 4, this year, at one of the party's monthly rally at Begoro in the Eastern Region, the registered unemployed youth were assured of getting shortlisted in the media for various technical training programmes.

The assurance was given by the NPP national youth organizer, Mustapha Hamid, and the supporters gave him a thunderous applause with the shout of "NPP, we are on course."

Hamid explained that day that the shortlistment of the unemployed youth in the media was going to be next step, after the registration exercise.

According to him, the media shortlistment would provide the direction for theunemployed as to where they would go for their skills training.

Mustapha Hamid had stated these to counter opposition propaganda at the time that the exercise was a mere political gimmick and urged party supporters to remain patient and rally behind the government in order to deliver.

But for about four months now, these unemployed youth have not seen or heard their names in the media for any job training, as proimised by Hamid.

A survey conducted by The Chronicle in Koforidua showed that the delay in coming out with the programme is gradually eating away the confidence the youth have in the government.

Speaking to The Chronicle under the condition of anonymity, an unemployed youth hinted that the long delay has forced him and other colleagues to embark on hawking on the streets in Koforidua.

Records at the Statistical Department Eastern Region office indicated that 89,779 unemployed were registered at the end of the exercise two years ago.

The 89,779 people who registered at the end of the exercise are those still waiting to see their names shortlisted to receive support financially to acquire employable skills to fend for themselves.

Out of the total figure, there were 51,452 being 57.3% been male, while female unemployed were 38,314 constituting 42.7%.

Among the 15 districts in the region, Suhum Kraboa Coaltar District recorded highest male unemployed, with New Juaben Municipal Area recording the highest female unemployed.

According to the statistics, those who wanted to train as artisans topped the list, with other professions following, such as secretarial and vocational.

Soon after the NPP government took over power from the NDC, it conducted the national registration exercise to find out the number of the unemployed and how to solve the problem in the system.

These people ranged between 18 and 55 years who are doing practically nothing, as a result of unemployment and putting the blame of economic hardships on the government.

They have appealed to the government to fullfil its promise by coming out with the shortlisting of traning programmes soon.