Sports Minister Sets Kayayo Mileage
The Minister of Youth and Sports, Hon. Rashid Pelpuo, has stated that his ministry is committed to supporting the Pamela E. Bridgewater project, aimed at constructing an educational village in the northern village of Tampion to halt the mass movement of young girls to the southern parts of the country to work as head porters, commonly referred to as 'kayayo'.
He said it was about time the country took steps to end the 'kayayo' phenomenon which was only creating problems for the nation and his ministry would be in the forefront in finding solutions to the menace.
The minister said this when he donated an undisclosed sum to officials of the Pamela E. Bridgewater project at his office in Accra.
According to him, the 'kayayo' menace was an affront to the dignity of the Ghanaian and efforts must be made to nip it in the bud.
Hon. Pelpuo said it was the intention of government to ensure a better standard of living for all Ghanaians especially the disadvantaged and also provide hope for the citizenry.
He added that the Pamela E. Bridgewater project was in tune with plans by government to provide educational facilities in every part of the country and his ministry would partner the project initiators to ensure a successful completion of the educational village.
"Let us work together towards this laudable cause. We would provide adequate facilities to make people hopeful in life".
The minister called on other non-governmental organizations in the country to also submit proposals to his office on how to further tackle the 'kayayo' phenomenon for consideration and implementation.
He was presented with some souvenirs of the project and an art work.
When completed, the ultra-modern educational village at Tampion in the Savelugu/Nanton district of the Northern region would comprise a cluster of schools and hostels for disadvantaged females in the three northern regions to halt the mass exodus of young girls to cities such as Accra, Tema, Kumasi and other metropolitan areas in search of back breaking menial jobs.
Honours Dr Raja
The minister used the occasion to honor Dr Raja Pimasuran, a philanthropist, for his donation to the triumphant U-20 team the Black Satellites, the Bridgewater project.
“I ,on behalf of the ministry and the Republic of Ghana, do acknowledge your kind gesture to the people of Ghana.”
On his part, Tofique Gaffaru Mutiwala, Dr Raja's representative, thanked the ministry and promised to do their part in the promotion of sports and humanitarian endeavours in the country .