NYEP rolls out Youth-in-mining module

28-08-2011

The Upper East Regional Minister, Mark Woyongo says the National Youth Employment Programme under the reigns of the current administration has chalked significant successes as it has been expanded to benefit more youth in the country. He said the introduction of more modules coupled with a well designed exit plan for beneficiaries of the programme after enrollment, is a true manifestation of government’s determination to drastically reduce the rate of unemployment in the country and the youth in particular. Mr Woyongo disclosed that out of the 16 modules introduced under the NYEP, 12 modules are operational in the Upper East Region employing about 9,535 people. According to him, the Road Maintenance and Water Modules, which will soon take off in the region already has 2,524 beneficiaries recruited onto the module. Speaking to Radio Ghana at Bolgatanga, Mr Woyongo hinted that NYEP has introduced the youth-in –mining module and has been rolled out in areas where there is the threat of illegal mining operations. He said the leadership of the programme is making frantic efforts to roll out the module in parts of the region where illegal mining operations are experienced. This, he noted will address the continuous destruction of lands by the youth in their quest to engage themselves in activities that will sustain their livelihood. Mr Woyongo further disclosed that government is also in the process of giving the NYEP a legal backing, stressing that a bill to this effect is at the cabinet level for consideration. The bill when passed into law will not only give the programme a legal status but it will also enable government to budget adequately for it such that those on the programme can be adequately resourced and exited for the programme to continue and enroll more of the teeming unemployed youth. He said the government has also introduced a lump sum of package for the NYEP beneficiaries who are on payroll to be given to them when they are eventually exiting. In view of this, government deducts 5 Ghana Cedis from their monthly allowances and also adds a contribution of the same amount to make it 10 Ghana Cedis. This, he assured is accumulated for the number of years the beneficiaries serve and would be paid to them by way of lump sum. He said government intends to increase the said amount when the passage of the bill is completely finalized. Mr. Woyongo implored the youth, particularly those in the three regions of the north to take advantage of the various modules introduced under the NYEP so that they can reap the full benefit to enhance their living standard.
GBC END IA/