NYEP Sacks 165

Masaud Mohammed

A TOTAL OF 165 personnel of the National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP) in the Pru District of the Brong Ahafo Region have been sent home even before their contractual agreements expires in December, 2009.

The affected officers, made up of 122 personnel of the Community Protection Unit (CPU) and 43 teachers respectively, were fired for being members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), under the alleged orders of the Chief Executive of the Pru District, .

In a petition recently dispatched to the National Coordinator of NYEP and other relevant quarters for intervention, the victims described the DCE's actions as harsh and discriminatory.  

According to the petition signed by Anto Solomon on behalf of the personnel of the CPU and Chardon Joseph on behalf of the teachers, dissolved the CPU, “Saying our services are not needed even though our colleagues in other districts, municipalities and metropolis are still at post”.

They passionately appealed to the authorities to immediately look into the matter to ensure that justice is done to avert trouble in the area.

Later in an interview, Anto Solomon said no single charge has been made against them as they have done nothing wrong to warrant their illegal dismissal, a development which has worsened their socio-economic wretchedness.  

He told DAILY GUIDE that a few weeks after the unwarranted termination of their appointments, the DCE asked that eight of the affected victims return to the assembly to be considered for re-employment as labourers.

However, the DCE has, in a telephone interview, rubbished this accusation, insisting that the disbanded officers of the NYEP were told in a plain language to reapply for absorption into other modules of the programme, but they failed to show up.  

In his attempt to justify his actions, the DCE said the CPU personnel could not be tolerated in the area to provide security when they are known to be trained and psychologically-conditioned agents of the NPP, who attempted rigging the 2008 general elections.

“Some risked stealing ballot boxes, and subjected NDC supporters and activists including me to severe beatings” the DCE said, wondering how such persons could be maintained and trusted with the security of the area.

pointed out that as the contract signed between the NYEP authorities and the employees expires in December, fresh appointment would start but denied that only NDC supporters would be considered to work with the various modules of the programme.

In his view, preference will be given to applicants with relevant qualifications, competence and experiences but will not just be based on partisan or political considerations.

From James Quansah, Kumasi