Accra, June 3, GNA – The Government has concluded phase one of the YouStart stakeholder engagements with institutions, regional ministers, and metropolitan, municipal and district chief executives (MMDCEs) from the Eastern, Volta and Oti regions.
It is expected that the phase two would begin from Monday, June 6, during which civil society organisations, Ghana Chamber of Commerce, Association of Ghana Industries, identifiable youth groups, Nation Builders’ Corps (NABCo), Faith-Based Organisations, and the media would be engaged to sensitise them on the programme and solicit their feedback ahead of the launch by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
Speaking at the end of the phase one in Koforidua, Dr John Ampontuah Kumah, a Deputy Minister of Finance, said the programme was successful and that the phase two would improve its understanding and acceptability.
So far, there has been an engagement with MMDCEs and regional ministers across the country, tasked to set up YouStart desks at the grassroot level ahead of the launch.
Dr Kumah said the Government had worked to reduce the unemployment rate in the country through recruitment into the public sector, NABCO, 1D1F, and Planting for Food and Jobs, among others.
The YouStart initiative is intended to create one million jobs in the next three years and government would ensure the involvement of everyone in its planning and execution, he said.
It is expected to be funded with revenues from the Electronic Transaction Levy (e-Levy).