OUR YOUTH NEED JOBS

….Nduom charges govt, business leaders
The 2008 Convention People’s Party (CPP) presidential candidate has tasked government and business leaders to strive to create meaningful jobs for the thousands of unemployed graduates in the country.

In a press statement to commemorate this year’s May Day celebration, which falls on Sunday, Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom stressed that what should engage the attention of government and business-minded persons in the country is the “creation of jobs for our young men and women.”

“Jobs are what our children need. Our youth need jobs so that they can appreciate the meaning and the thinking behind May Day, a day set aside to recognise the efforts and contributions of workers all over the world,” Dr. Nduom intimated.

In his estimation, it is when the unemployed youth are provided with jobs that they will find life meaningful, and equally contribute their quota to the socio-economic development of the country.

Continuing, Dr. Nduom said: “It is said that “edzidzi daadaa yie sen edzidzi preko” – in essence, it is better to be able to eat daily than once a while. To some it means it is better to have a job that feeds you daily than to rely on someone to give you something to eat once in a while. However one interpretes it, a job is better than a handout.

Against this background, the 2008 CPP flag-bearer urged the many unemployed youth to demand from those in power the need to create meaningful jobs for them.

“To the thousands of unemployed graduates from our polytechnics and universities I say, you deserve better. Our business, political, social and religious leaders must pay proper attention to your need to find gainful employment. I encourage you to demand from those who seek to lead what plans they have to create the conditions that will enable you to get the jobs you need in your own country, Ghana.”

This, he urged them to employ what he described as “positive activism”, “using a disciplined approach to state your case to government and society at large in a manner that will get good results is what is needed.”

According to the successful businessman, who has provided jobs for an appreciable number of Ghanaians across the country, he appreciates the value of work and its benefits, hence his clarion call to government to create job opportunities for the Ghanaian youth.

“I know the value of work, of being employed and the opportunity that it provides to a man or a woman to have a positive self worth, think for oneself and chart a straight and positive path through life.

I know the value of work and what it means to have a job that gives you a real start in life. Over the past twenty (20) years, my family has created directly, more than 1,500 jobs in Ghana. Young men and women work for my companies in all the ten regions. I am especially proud and find it truly fulfilling to be able to give a full time job that provides health care, social security and other benefits to young people in places such as Yendi, Bawku, Bolga, Elmina, Damang, Wa, Tamale, Konongo and Hohoe,” Dr. Nduom stated.

According to him, young people take pride in wearing their various companies’ cloth, adding that “it is good to see young workers collect a few pesewas to support fellow workers at weddings, outdooring of new babies, funerals, etc.

To those with jobs, Dr. Nduom advised them to guard them jealousy, urging them to be productive and do things that will bring reward to their services.

“To those of you fortunate enough to have jobs I say guard them fiercely. Be productive and create value that will enable you to demand just reward for your labour. Without you, there will not be customers and no businesses. The wealth of our nation depends on you,” he contended.

“On May Day, let us all drink our favorite locally-produced beverage on May Day. Let us eat a meal of banku, fufu, locally grown rice with fish, chicken or meat made in Ghana. Finally, let us all hope that next year more young men and women will experience the satisfaction that comes from having a job”, Dr. Nduom indicated.