May Day Message – The Youth Need Jobs!

I wish to dedicate this year's May Day to the hundreds of thousands of unemployed youth in the country. I know the value of work, of being employed and the opportunity that it provides to a man or a woman to have a positive self worth, think for oneself and chart a straight and positive path through life. It is said that "edzidzi daadaa yie sen edzidzi preko" - in essence, it is better to be able to eat daily than once a while. To some it means it is better to have a job that feeds you daily than to rely on someone to give you something to eat once in a while. However one interpretes it, a job is better than a handout. Jobs are what our children need. Our youth need jobs so that they can appreciate the meaning and the thinking behind May Day, a day set aside to recognise the efforts and contributions of workers all over the world.

I know the value of work and what it means to have a job that gives you a real start in life. Over the past twenty (20) years, my family has created directly, more than 1,500 jobs in Ghana. Young men and women work for my companies in all the ten regions. I am especially proud and find it truly fulfilling to be able to give a full time job that provides health care, social security and other benefits to young people in places such as Yendi, Bawku, Bolga, Elmina, Damang, Wa, Tamale, Konongo and Hohoe. It is great to note the pride with which young people wear company cloth in their communities. It is good to see young workers collect a few pesewas to support fellow workers at weddings, outdooring of new babies, funerals, etc. The hotel waiter or the Field Cashier who collects daily savings in the market gains the pride and discipline that makes a nation great and strong. I am thankful to God that I am able to provide such opportunities. This is what should sieze the attention of our leaders - creating jobs for our young men and women. Work and Happiness go together.

To the thousands of unemployed graduates from our polytechnics and universities I say, you deserve better. Our business, political, social and religious leaders must pay proper attention to your need to find gainful employment. I encourage you to demand from those who seek to lead what plans they have to create the conditions that will enable you to get the jobs you need in your own country, Ghana. Positive activism, using a disciplined approach to state your case to government and society at large in a manner that will get good results is what is needed.

To those fortunate enough to have jobs today, I say guard them fiercely. Be productive and create value that will enable you to demand just reward for your labour. Without you, there will not be customers and no businesses. The wealth of our nation depends on you.

On May Day, let us all drink our favorite locally-produced beverage on May Day. Let us eat a meal of banku, fufu, locally-grown rice with fish, chicken or meat made in Ghana. Finally, let us all hope that next year more young men and women will experience the satisfaction that comes from having a job.

Happy May Day!

Papa Kwesi Nduom

April 28, 2011