The rush for wealth is the major problem of the youth - Wereko-Brobbey

Nerebehi (Ash), Aug 07, GNA - The major problem confronting the Ghanaian unemployed youth is the rush to acquire wealth and other material gains without a clear-cut objective, vision and adequate planning.

Dr Kojo Wereko-Brobbey, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), who made the observation, said there was no easy way to success and that the only antidote was effective planning, right initiative and foresight.

He was addressing the fifth graduation ceremony of 56 students of Nerebehi Integrated Community Centre for Employable Skills (ICCES) at Nerebehi in the Atwima-Nwabiagya District of Ashanti at the weekend. Dr Wereko-Brobbey said adequate knowledge in business investment; increased production and realisation of set goals were the three major phases for successful entrepreneurship.

He, therefore, condemned the practice of some prospective youth businessmen, who used their energy and resources on unproductive and frivolous things, adding that, such practices had collapsed many enterprises.

Mr Beneto Owusu-Bio, the Member of Parliament (MP) for the area, asked the graduates to form co-operative societies to enable them benefit from the government's youth employment project packages. He promised to extend electricity to the centre to promote skill training of the students.

Mr David Mensah, Deputy Director of ICCES, said the programme had contributed immensely to the provision of employable skills for numerous youth and noted that this had reduced the unemployment rate in the country.

In recognition of the significant services being offered by the ICCES, he said, the directorate was soliciting the services of the United States of America Peace Corps Volunteers to offer training skills in small enterprise development at the centres.

Mr Mensah said the teaching skills of instructors at the centres would also be upgraded to add value to the quality of teaching and also improve the grades and output of the trainees in examinations. Mr Robert Yaw Baah, the Centre Manager, in his welcome address, said more than 962 artisans had so far been trained in masonry, carpentry, electrical, building construction, draughtsmanship, catering, dressmaking and hairdressing since the establishment of the centre in 1994.

He said the centre currently had an enrolment of 186 made up of 133 males and 53 females with staff of 18. Mr Baah bemoaned the inadequate classrooms, hostel and workshop facilities at the centre and appealed to the government, the district assembly and non-governmental organisations to assist to enable the centre offer more admissions to the youth in the area and its environs. Nana Owusu Achaw Ababio, Chief of Nerebehi, who presided, commended the centre management and donors for making it possible for the unemployed youth in the area to obtain skills for decent living and called on meaningful Ghanaians, wealthy non-resident citizens and individuals in the area to contribute generously to improve facilities at the centre.