The European Union (EU) Delegation in Ghana is to extend a 31-million euro grant to Ghana to fund labour environment assessment, as well as technical and vocational training for the youth.
The Minister of Employment and Labour Relations, Mr Haruna Idrissu, told Parliament Wednesday that the Minister of Finance, Mr Seth Terkper, and the Head of the EU Delegation would sign the agreement next week.
He said the signing would ensure early disbursement of the fund to support technical and vocational training in the country.
Mr Idrissu was answering a question by the Member of Parliament (MP) for Tano North, Ms Freda Akosua Prempeh, on steps being taken by his ministry to improve infrastructure at the Yamfo Vocational Training Centre in the Tano North District in the Brong Ahafo Region.
National security on unemployment
Mr Idrissu said the National Security Council had raised an alert on the unemployment situation in the country and its implications on national security.
He said the unemployment situation contributed to the rising incidence of crime in the country and that to address the situation, the government would offer 100,000 jobs to the youth through the Youth Employment Agency (YEA) employment modules this year.
He said there was a huge demand for jobs under the modules, indicating that the ministry had received about 500,000 applications for just one module.
Besides, Mr Idrissu said, the National Vocational Training Institute (NVTI) would benefit from a GHc10-million grant from the YEA this year to support the training of over 6,000 master craftsmen in masonry, carpentry and fabrication.
He said he had issued a policy directive to the YEA to begin to partner public institutions to intensify skills training for the youth.
Yamfo Vocational Training Centre
Mr Idrissu said the centre would benefit from a one-storey administration block and a 100-capacity hostel each for boys and girls.
“The centre would also receive tools and equipment for catering, general electrical system and masonry,” he added.
