Nana Michael Addo Agyekum, the Chief Executive Officer of Mikaddo Holdings on Thursday urged the youth to take full advantage of government’s employment opportunities and be productive in life.

He advised the youth to show interest in exploring the various government initiatives such as the One District, One Factory, the cotton and textiles industry, agro-processing and waste management programmes.

Nana Agyekum gave the advice at the 21st Pearson and Osae Appreciation lectures on the topic “The Menace of Youth Unemployment in Ghana: The Role of Entrepreneurship and Industrialisation in Curbing the Canker,” held in Accra.

The event was organised by the Prempeh College Old Students Association to honour the Reverend S. N. Pearson for his pioneering role in the establishment of the college and Dr T. A. Osae, the first Ghanaian Headmaster, for sustaining the effort of his predecessors.

He charged the youth to work with “their right hand side of the brain that focuses on the spirit of Entrepreneurship, innovation and critical thinking instead of the left hand side of the brain which deals with academics”.

Nana Agyekum expressed concern about the rate of unemployment, saying that, it was unfortunate that many young people after graduating from the universities continue to look up to government for non-existing jobs.

He said statistics from the National Employment Report 2015, on the Integrated Business Establishment Survey, revealed that out of 3,383,206 persons engaged in employment, nearly half of the figures were engaged by sole proprietorship, with the private limited companies employing 20 per cent, while government employed 10 per cent.

Nana Agyekum said the world is experiencing an entrepreneurial revolution in this 21st century and will be as powerful as the industrial revolution of the 20th century.

According to him, entrepreneurship, guided by prudent financial management and discipline, was the surest way for one to get out to start his own business.

Mr Eric Osei Afriyie, the Greater Accra Regional President of the Association said the lectures takes a retrospective look in the past and to reward its heroes and offer perspectives on issues of national interest and policy alternatives to mitigate future challenges.

Mr Kwabena Nyarko, the National President of the Association, said the old students believed in the value of education to the well-being of society, and that, the association would continue to strive to achieve its aim and demonstrate activities to promote the good name of the Alma Mater.