The Member of Parliament for the Krowor Constituency, Dr Mrs Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, has stated that the 24-hour Economy Policy proposed by Former President John Dramani Mahama is not a political gimmick but a serious approach to addressing the high levels of unemployment in the country.
She has therefore, appeal to all well-meaning Ghanaians to embrace it and help fashion it out in a more beneficial manner to help deal with the employment challenges faced by the youth.
“It is true that a lot of our youth are not finding the needed jobs and that is why our former President John Dramani Mahama has proposed that, he will introduce a 24-hour economy policy to open up the Ghanaian economy to employ a lot more of our youth. This policy is not for politics or political purpose so we must all support him to make it a reality,” she emphasised
Dr Lartey said this when she donated a total of 25 sewing machines to graduands of the Nungua Zone A Ghana Tailors and Dressmakers Association at Nungua at the weekend.
The donation was to support each of the 25 newly trained dressmakers and seamstresses to establish their own businesses and employ others.
The Member of Parliament said even though it was her desire to get all the youth in her constituency employed, this could not be done at a go but would be a gradual process.
“As a Member of Parliament for Krowor Constituency, it is my desire to create jobs for almost all the youth because everyone is of importance for the constituency, but you and I know that it is not possible to do that at a go. So it is a gradual process. Just as the blessings of others come in the morning, some in the afternoon so shall the rest have theirs in the evening,” she emphasised.
She said the 24-hour economy policy would absolve a lot of the youth especially if the value chain was improved upon with enhanced security and other incentives for enterprises.
Dr Lartey said the time had come for more emphasise to be placed on skills development and not mere focusing on certificates.
She said parents must encourage their children who were endowed with talents to pursue skills development, adding that “Skills development is not a place for school drop outs but where people get the opportunity to showcase their God-giving talents.
Dr Lartey said skill development was a major catalyst for employment creation and the youth must be supported to take opportunity of the vast potential in that area.
BY CLIFF EKUFUL