George Opare Addo
Minister of Youth Development and Empowerment, Mr. George Opare Addo, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthen support systems to help reduce youth unemployment as well as create sustainable opportunities for young people.
Addressing a durbar of chiefs and people of Aburi and Akuapem Adonten during the Odwira festival last Saturday on the theme “Our Culture, Our Environment, Our Future”, he said despite remarkable energy and talent exhibited by the youth, they are often overlooked.
That, he explained, has propelled government to introduce several interventions to create jobs for the youth in both formal and informal sectors.
He cited the ‘Adwumawura’ initiative introduced by the government as a key example of interventions that will provide thousands of young people with employment opportunities in construction, agriculture, sanitation, and community services among others.
According to him, the government is also expanding opportunities in agro-processing and value addition, to support communities such as Aburi to transition from primary production to processing, and packaging to export their products.
“This approach is intended to create more jobs for young people, ensure food security, and transform farming into a profitable and dignified venture for both farmers and new entrants.
“Together, these interventions represent a comprehensive and deliberate strategy by the government to address youth unemployment at its core. This strategy focuses on widening access to opportunities, modernising skills development, empowering entrepreneurs, and connecting young people to meaningful and productive work,” he added.
The Chief of Aburi, who is also the Adontenhene of the Akuapem Traditional Area, Otoobour Djan Kwasi II, called on the government to support the redevelopment of the Aburi Botanical Gardens, which he said has been neglected despite years of appeal.
He indicated that the gardens, which once created employable skills for many residents, is now in a deplorable state and, therefore, requires urgent state intervention.
The chief also urged government to improve road infrastructure in Aburi by asphalting the deteriorated roads that connect several communities and link adjoining towns to Koforidua, while appealing to authorities to address some chieftaincy disputes in the Akuapem area rather than relying on security forces who are deployed only during festive periods.
He further advised the youth to refrain from social vices, particularly drug abuse and alcoholism, warning that traditional leadership in the area will intensify discipline and enforce punitive measures against such behaviour.
Municipal Chief Executive for the Akuapem South Municipality, Paul Osae Offei, for his part, appealed to chiefs and stakeholders to help address the numerous land litigation cases in the area.
He also expressed worry over the poor performance of recent Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) candidates, and called for collective efforts involving chiefs, parents, and the Assembly to address the situation.
Member of Parliament (MP) for the Akuapem South Constituency, Lawrencia Adwoa Dziwornu, who urged the youth to take their education seriously in order to achieve their aspirations, further assured the youth in the area of her readiness to provide the needed support to the people of Akuapem South Constituency.
Present at the celebration, which also coincided with the 37th anniversary of the Chief of Aburi and the Adontenhene of the Akuapem Traditional Area, Otoobour Djan Kwasi II, include Minister of Agric, Eric Opoku; Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), Gilbert Abeiku Santana; former MP for Akuapem South, O B Amoah and several other chiefs from the Eastern Region.
By Ebenezer K. Amponsah
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