The Ghana Job Bank, an initiative to provide a platform for the youth to acquire skills and hands-on training and nurture young entrepreneurs has outdoored former President Kufuor as its Patron.
According to the brains behind the initiative, the former president was chosen because of the role he currently plays in mentoring and supporting the youth in various fields.
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In accepting the role the former President lauded the idea and expressed satisfaction with the aim of the initiative, a reason, according to him he agreed to be associated with it.
He also expressed his willingness to lend any form of support within his ability to ensure the initiative fulfils its purpose and advised that it should be made open to all so that many more people will benefit from it.
“I was approached not too long ago by the two founders of this initiative, Richard Ofori-Atta and his partner Godwin Atigi. I wanted to know what it will be about before I lend my name to it. I know there is so much unemployment almost 40% of our youth are unemployed and we have got unemployment association. It is something not to be proud about but if truly the youth are the future of any nation and we get a situation like we are in now and if you are truly concerned as a citizen or as a human being then you will know that the future may not be too bright”
“First they wanted me to chair the board but I said no I couldn’t do it because what I am now, I am very much retired. I would rather play the role of the retired uncle who will sit at home for the enterprising nephews and nieces to come and consult. I will impart whatever experience I have and give my opinion here and there and hopefully, the youth will go away and try to implement or learn some wisdom from the oldman’s viewpoints. So they agreed to make me patron than chairman of the board…I see that this thing is off to a really good start. I also see that the founders have taken pains to internationalize the initiative. We’ve heard of partners coming from the Middle East, some from India, we are glorified with the presence of the Turkish Ambassador here.”
The former president vehemently opposed the idea of government creating jobs for the people as no country in this world has developed with government in the fore but emphasized that it is the duty of the private sector.
He noted that it was for that reason he created the Ministry for Private Sector Development during his time in government to create that awareness and empower private sector to grow
He believed that it is only when the private sector is propelled to new heights that massive development will be seen, poverty will be reduced and the escalating unemployment situation will be drastically reduced.
Former President Kufuor cited successful entrepreneurs such as Kwame Despite and Joseph Siaw Agyapong of Zoomlion and urged the youth and young entrepreneurs to emulate them.
“What I want to say to the youth of Ghana is that you must believe in yourself that you can do it. Unfortunately, it looks like we have been weaned as a society with everyone looking up to government. If we want to go that way, I'm afraid it will take umpteen years before we get there. Government is there alright but government is to govern, government is not to do business. This is why when I got the opportunity to lead the government of Ghana I decided we form a Ministry to lead the private sector development.”
“Everyday you tune unto PeaceFM and you hear of Dr. Osei Kwame Despite and his brother, Ofori Sarpong. See the industries they are creating, the employment. They own Special Ice mineral water, This way chocolate drink, Neat Fufu. With all due respect, I don’t think it's their book so much as it is their smartness. Similarly, Zoomlion started around and seeing that there is so much filth around us. Earlier times we depended on the local government authorities, unfortunately, the workers come around and just work superficially but they were not regular but this man comes around, organizes, employs a lot of people and it is now a household name”
At a short ceremony organised at the residence of the Former President, Rahim Banda, already an ambassador for Free SHS and Steven Ackah, first Ghanaian to Chair the G200 Youth Summit were also unveiled as the brand ambassador of the initiative.
They will promote the activities of the Ghana Job Bank and encourage many more youth and young entrepreneurs to take advantage of it
TV personality, Joselyn Dumas pledged to support the initiative in whatever means possible as she was overwhelmed by the ideas and vision the initiative hopes to achieve.
Joselyn Dumas was present at the occasion together with Musician Sarkodie from the entertainment industry.
Other guests who honoured the event include Education Minister, Matthew Opoku Prempeh, Deputy Communications Minister George Andah and the Turkish Ambassador to Ghana.
