The Big Stories || Youth Unemployment: YEA helped 82,000 youth with employment as of May, 2023 - Kofi Agyapong - JoyNews
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00:00 Hello there. It's another opportunity to get into the corridors of power and today we're going to be having an interaction with yes
00:07 A young man to heading an agency that works for young people. My name is Benjamin Akako
00:13 This is the a.m. Show now. He has been at post for close to a year now
00:19 It's just a few weeks away and then he would have been at post for a year
00:23 He's a bit of a journalist if you like he calls himself a veteran journalist, though
00:27 I have issues with that, but without further ado, let me introduce our guest for today
00:32 He's the person of mr. Kofi bar a Japan and guess what? He is CEO of the Youth Employment
00:40 Agency he joins us for a conversation
00:43 So Japan
00:45 This one a handshake
00:47 Atoban thanks for thanks for allowing us to get into your space. Thank you. Yes, I corridors of power
00:56 And I said you're in a day you're gonna say corridors of power you have the power
01:01 Hmm the fourth estate for home and Zimbabwe will get there. No very powerful. You know that Oh definitely
01:08 We have been there before and I know how powerful
01:11 You are I
01:14 Nearly said something but I'll leave it for later. But but let's let's just get to know you a bit
01:21 I'm sure there are some people out there who don't even know that you're heading this mammoth agency here in terms of the youth
01:27 Who is mr. Kofi bar? Japan? Just tell us a little bit about you and
01:32 How did you make that segue that transition from journalism into this space heading the way?
01:40 Thank you very much my brother who is Kofi Japan
01:46 Computer points, right?
01:49 in front of you
01:51 I
01:53 Started as a journalist who worked for the Accra Daily Mail
01:58 I also did
02:02 some international jobs for the West African Democracy Radio and
02:07 I
02:10 Also wrote for the Dom balloon magazine and also doing 20 I think
02:16 the first World Cup Ghana
02:21 Participated I also was a writer for the Guardian newspaper. So I've been doing
02:27 Journalism I did journalism for closely nine to ten years
02:33 Okay nine to ten years and already you seem to be hanging your boots
02:40 You
02:42 Wordpress I see sometimes
03:01 Love to put my thoughts on paper
03:04 It's it's exciting and you can't leave writing
03:09 That's that's an interesting bit. He's a trained journalist. And of course now he has transitioned you've moved on
03:16 You've also been a deputy communications
03:18 Officer yes, I'm the MPP. In fact, I was a file states that you were the longest-serving
03:24 Yes
03:25 Communications officer I think I'm from
03:27 2009 I joined the communication team of the party
03:31 2009 till I moved to the presidency
03:36 2021
03:39 Was that experience like especially coming from your background?
03:41 You know, it's challenging journalism you have so much power like you sit down
03:51 You can ask me any question you think it's it's
03:56 You need answers to and I have I just have to provide it for our viewers our listeners the Ghanian populace
04:04 And it's journalism. I
04:07 Mean, it's like you are the God on earth
04:10 Hey, oh, yes. I mean when I used to write me depends on the country, you know, no, no
04:15 There's this popular saying yes
04:19 Freedom of speech is guaranteed. But in some places freedom after speech is what is
04:24 Ghanians, I mean generalism I've been in before we write whatever we want to write and we go scot-free
04:30 I see. I mean we add sensationalism to everything that we write. I wrote for I
04:36 Cried daily mail for years. I know I've studied the media landscape for you sensationalizing to
04:42 Because we have to sell our stories. Okay now adverts are not coming
04:47 So you have to sell your stories and the headlines will sell the stories for you. Hmm
04:52 You know it better
04:55 I mean with the Prince media, it's it's another ballgame. Sometimes it's trickier on on television
05:03 You know for us for us the English language stations. It's it's quite a tightrope. We have to walk
05:09 It's quite a tightrope. We have to is the same. I mean and
05:14 It's good that we are enjoying this space. I mean journalists in the country the press freedom is amazing
05:21 When when one thing I loved about the media is no court of competence
05:27 Jurisdiction can force you to reveal your source
05:32 You understand so I mean
05:35 Even I think even if your source has led you to some well-being
05:39 That have been stolen
05:42 But I think that is an exciting profession you have so much power and
05:48 the
05:50 country also gives you that extra leverage to
05:55 To do what you want. I think the media and Ghana is
06:00 The landscape is good. It's free. I mean as compared to what we read from other countries, I think
06:06 Ghanian journalists are
06:08 Comfortable. Why do you think then? I mean, I'm just going a bit on the general before we narrow in on the why here
06:15 What you do here? Why do you think then that are?
06:18 our ratings have been falling over time the
06:21 Global Peace Index when it comes to journalism and the practice of it and all of that. Why do you feel?
06:28 Our ranking keeps plummeting in that regard
06:31 Well, I don't believe in that. I think that is the sensational or sensationalism that we add to the things
06:38 We we see or report in this country
06:41 What happened to a man who seems to Ali was not so now we know resolved. No, no, no
06:46 I'm not going to that and I think it's
06:49 It's something that I wouldn't even like to talk about it because it's shameful and very sad
06:56 I mean, it's a family man. It can happen to everyone but we shouldn't also
07:02 Make it look like
07:04 Journalists are under threat in this country. No
07:07 Yes, we have few isolated cases. I mean which is which which I will not sit here to defend
07:15 but we shouldn't also create this whole atmosphere of
07:19 Oswald M. Charlie's night for you so we're
07:25 I
07:27 See so for you it is the
07:29 Sensationalism people going over the top and creating a certain narrative. That is what is making our rankings plummet. Yes, I think so
07:37 Okay
07:39 Let's I'll come back to other current affairs related matters, but let's talk about
07:44 Your mandate at the Youth Employment Agency, you've been here for close to a year
07:50 That's a long time
07:54 First
07:56 Off what is the mandate of the Y EA and within this year?
08:01 What would you say are some of the stark challenges you've had to face and again?
08:06 some of the positives on the back of this
08:10 near
08:12 366 day cycle you've had
08:14 Okay, thank you the mandate of the Youth Employment Agency is simple to create jobs right facilitate
08:23 Coordinate supervise the creation of jobs so everything about the Youth Employment Agency has to do with job creation
08:29 Primarily for the youth yes for the link your website says 15 to 35 for the youth so that is what we've
08:36 We've been doing for for for less it for the past one year. I will say that's one year
08:43 it's been a I mean the challenging aspect is the
08:49 Down employment in the country I can give you statistics. I mean
08:54 We've we started or with 15,000
09:01 Community police assistance we did 6,000 community
09:09 health assistance with
09:14 500 prison assistance we've had collaborations with the private sector other private entities
09:21 Institutions, but I tell you my brother when we open our portal
09:26 The number of young people who apply for our programs is alarming
09:32 That is that itself yes, that is the things a certain yes
09:37 That it paints a certain picture and and to me is a challenge
09:43 Here at the Youth Employment Agency you open the portal to recruit 15,000
09:51 Community police assistance and you get over
09:56 90,000 applicants I mean that's an excess of about 75 yes
10:02 Challenging it's quite challenging
10:06 How then are you able to sift through and I mean in these drives for example like you mentioned so 15,000?
10:13 community police
10:15 protection community protection
10:17 Assistance the CPAs for example if you try to recruit 15,000 and you get
10:22 90,000 how are you able to?
10:25 What metrics do you use for example because this is where out there in the court of public opinion they see oh a party for?
10:33 There's no
10:34 party card or see
10:36 Card-bearing
10:39 Is the same thing that is that this is the LIA of the Youth Employment Agency
10:44 It gives you it gives you the steps to take when it comes recruitment first you publish it
10:50 After you should make sure that is district based I
10:53 Mean gender balance and others we take all these things into consideration, so it's not that
10:59 You don't apply and you can you can be no
11:03 Auditors can pick you up because this is what the LIA says and is there okay?
11:07 But so we open it and people apply online
11:09 That's fine, but to take it a step further
11:13 It could be a party person the person does apply. I mean at least apply show face
11:19 They go through the the internet processes and all of that
11:24 Do you have a quota system where at some point?
11:27 Maybe there's an application and all of that, but the party requires a certain quotient or something
11:32 No, is that is that something my brother?
11:34 No, I mean you see let me tell you something all employment
11:39 Knows no barrier true. It doesn't know a political party doesn't know MPP and DC CPP. I tell you
11:47 We try to politicize everything in this country
11:50 When somebody is unemployed and he takes a gun and come into you or comes to you
11:56 That person doesn't care whether you are in people in DC true the person wants to get something to eat
12:01 And that is why we are here we make sure that this regional balance. There's district balance
12:07 Gender and make sure that the right selection process is at head to this is what we do here
12:14 And for the past almost a year now. We've been doing for all our models you can
12:21 Contact the the private entities or institutions we have collaborations with they will tell you this is the same thing we tell them
12:30 And it's refreshing to hear that that is the case some of the questions
12:35 I am posing are just to reflect public sentiment and I agree
12:38 About what you do in turn
12:42 opportunity for you to tell the masses I
12:45 Get you so you're telling me the entire process is that transparent like you were making mention of so you take?
12:53 cognizance of regional balance
12:55 gender balance district district balance yes, so what walk us through a bit of the process that an
13:02 Applicant would go through online and of course the more you take away the human interface
13:06 The more transparent it is so walk us through what the process so you go online you you put your name there
13:13 The districts you are coming from or the street districts. You are in the region your age and
13:20 the qualification maybe
13:23 SHS or maybe university you put it today and the model you are applying to that's all
13:29 Yes, you don't pay a dime
13:32 Everything about why application is free and the interesting thing is after you've been
13:39 gone through the process and you've been selected the training you get that
13:45 It's free
13:48 The accommodation food everything is free I
13:52 See yes, that's an interesting dynamic within this period this last year
13:57 We'll get into the numbers and how many people you've been able to actually train, but let's let's stay right there
14:04 how many people how many young people between 15 and 35 have passed through and
14:09 What are the modules what are some modules? They've been you know activated in I?
14:15 Think for but a first quarter of this year with we exceeded our targets
14:21 You know every year we send our plans to Parliament for approval
14:25 Right we we were I think we wanted to do a little about
14:30 70,000 but a little over 70 a little bit within which period
14:35 Yeah within 2023 yes for the for for the whole year, but I think
14:42 Me we had exceeded we had we had reached
14:47 80
14:49 50,000 does the
14:51 Audited numbers that we have and we are talking about the community protection assistance. That's
14:58 15,000 community health assistance
15:01 6,000 community police assistance
15:05 And we are still continuing our sanitation model which we have 45,000 and
15:13 our
15:15 Association or collaboration with other people from the private sector
15:18 one thing that we've always a government alone can't employ everyone so
15:25 Since I got here. We've tried a lot to to to to to to link up with the private sector
15:33 We have a job center here, so we use our job center to link up with the private sector, so we've had
15:41 collaborations with Ghana with low to pay
15:45 National Insurance Commission
15:47 You you heard about our Coco program. That's the Coco rehabilitation with a foreign egg and
15:55 And a few others and in all these
15:59 The beneficiary is of outmost importance the youth employment agency
16:04 We make sure that the orientation the training you get everything
16:10 Is financed by us we also make sure that if it's a private company the company pays you nothing less than
16:17 800 cities I
16:19 see
16:21 So that's a rather interesting development, so you're trying to tell me that for the entirety of this year
16:26 Yeah, 2023 your projection was to rope in some 70,000 yes, and by me the fifth month
16:31 Yes, you had wrote in eighty two thousand yes, which means that even before the the half end of the year
16:38 You have overshot your target. What then are your ambitions ahead of I mean obviously if you are overperforming
16:45 You cannot now rest on your oars and say oh, we've overshot it so we are going to
16:49 Just maintain the status quo. What then is the plan for the rest of the year we are we've met with
16:55 The board and management we are putting other programs in place currently we are we are we are we are running day
17:05 April and textile model, and it's an interesting model my brother. We are selecting
17:11 1500 people to be trained
17:15 In the dressmaking tailoring industry and apart from that we are you know the small small tailors and seamstresses in your area
17:25 You know them in your area
17:27 We are selecting 500 of them also to give them support
17:32 10,000 cities each and we will come to the big garments companies which we are selecting 20 and give between
17:40 100 to 200 thousand to also support them for them to train these people these people for us
17:47 One thing that is very critical
17:50 We if we don't take care. We will lose our artisan industry
17:56 You are building are you building
18:00 I
18:02 Asked you not you are building you are using renting for now yes, I mean
18:08 The country in towns new buildings coming up we have the to go least taking taking over
18:17 They are doing our POPs for us
18:19 They are doing our tiling for those who are building will quickly tell you that the to go lease are more efficient more
18:25 They are not they are cheaper
18:27 Really telling you the word on the street. That is what you just have to enhance the skills of the gun yet
18:32 We can't lose that sector. That is why the way is coming in we are we are we are targeting the terrain or the dressmaking
18:40 Industry when we finish we are coming to the Thailand the message because we will not lose that sector
18:46 That's informal sector you lose it then it means that your economy will collapse forever
18:51 But our economy is a very informal economy in the first
18:56 Corroborating what you're saying is that and we can't lose the formal sector is actually very small after giving those people their skills the needless skills
19:04 Then we can talk about how we do our way with these two village
19:09 I tell you what can they do that the Ghanaian can do but but you know that I mean trade wise trade wise and even in
19:15 terms of
19:16 The regional balance and seamless weaving through one country to another country
19:20 that's why we've even been talking about the echo and having a
19:25 Just in that same manner I have so many friends for example who are working in the likes of
19:30 Cote d'Ivoire, but can I fast oh and the rest so in a way I understand what you're saying
19:35 But if it shouldn't also be we're going to get rid of
19:38 We are going to get rid of them, but we have we have when it comes to Thailand
19:44 We've lost that that sector we have we have lost that sector POP Mason Mason. We've lost that sector, but we have
19:53 Emissions we have Ghanian people who are good when it comes to task just sharpen their skills give them the necessary
20:00 Support and I tell you they can do better than how are you going to deal with with the bit about the cost of labor?
20:07 Because in the end
20:08 Business people who are putting up high-rise buildings the ordinary Joe in this economic situation who is putting up his building will look at the
20:15 cost and if it's going to cost them half
20:18 To employ the Togolese versus the Ghanaian and the deliverables are practically the same
20:23 Where do you think that person will put his money? How will you deal with that my brother my brother?
20:27 I tell you they don't charge less than we are we we think or we speculate
20:33 They also charge a lot and even the Ghanaian pays
20:36 Taxes that to go least he gets the money goes to to go
20:40 But if the police and sitting on it the person should be tired the person doesn't pay
20:44 I mean, you know he takes the money
20:47 He takes a car to Togo every day, but I tell you that Ghanian doesn't change charge much like we
20:53 We are we are we are told or meant to believe
20:58 Let's let's let's know. I just want to go ahead
21:02 Let's support our people the youth employment agency is taking that initiative skills training and acquisition
21:09 We are doing the painless and dress making because the Nigerians are also coming coming in if we don't take care
21:16 They will take that sector. We will not allow it. We are training people to give them not only the skills, but the support
21:23 I say and after we are going we are we will be training a
21:29 Tailors a tailor's seamstress
21:33 Tailors and those who make the POP
21:36 We just have to take it and make it
21:40 I think it there should be a national appeal. Let's use our people
21:45 Government is doing
21:47 Massive construction let me tell you something when in Zack
21:52 Last year when I came we signed an MOU with in Zack is a German company contracting
21:59 constructing the tema to a possible
22:03 They came to why?
22:06 You mean the road yes, right they came to why and we give them the labors and every everything
22:12 And things are going well, and we we give them the Ghanaians these are Ghanaians not to go least
22:17 But if we've not gotten any
22:20 Complaints or anything our people are working well our people are capable
22:24 Let's sharpen their skills. Let's believe in them. Let's give them the support and I tell you because it's getting scary. I'm telling you
22:33 Is it now everyone was well-covered and the Nigerians are coming in?
22:39 But if we don't sharpen the skills of our tailor sinisters and all these they will lose the market well
22:46 I love and we will have a lot of people a lot of unemployed or a lot of people back on the streets as unemployed
22:53 I'll tell you national security threats
22:55 Employment is one of the biggest
22:59 That is where the problem as a journalist you should be concerned
23:04 And as a journalist - yes
23:07 You know I'm very passionate about it when it comes to unemployment in fact. I sit here
23:12 I see the figures and I feel sorry I see the figures
23:16 And I think that we have to do more we have done a little over 80,000 first quarter
23:22 But still people are on the streets it shows that we have to do more
23:26 And we have to there's a yawning gap you have to fill I was just going to say that
23:29 There was a time many years ago when this Nigerian was suing some of my captains for me
23:34 thankfully well
23:37 She's still doing business in Ghana, but of all of those who you know so for me now. They are all Ghanaian
23:44 It is not a paucity of the skill in some areas
23:48 But sometimes do it is some of the other factors in the economy, but I was just checking out your web page and
23:54 That very bit you're talking about call for application garment and apparel training and employment program you talk about
24:01 garment and apparel companies
24:04 micro and small scale sem stresses and tailors and
24:06 beneficiaries
24:09 You also say here for example beneficiaries must be a Ghanaian youth between the ages of 18 to 35
24:14 Basic educational qualification is an advantage
24:17 demonstrable interest in sewing
24:20 Desire to pursue a career in mass production and the deadline is when 27th
24:25 June to 10th
24:28 July so this this is over right
24:31 And should I close for now and then should I give you the statistics the number of people?
24:36 The beneficiaries I think we had
24:39 We had almost ten thousand the big companies we had
24:44 1500 and something I think
24:48 1570 or something the small companies SMEs SMEs
24:54 They will always be the line combined combined combined in all the three categories
25:00 combined we had
25:02 28,000 applicants in all categories yes in all just for this morning just for this model I see
25:09 Just how many are you looking at getting okay?
25:11 So we are doing a face face we want to launch it on the 7th of August in in Kumasi the first phase beneficiaries
25:18 We are targeting thousand five hundred
25:20 Then SMEs we are targeted five hundred those will give ten thousand cities each
25:27 The beneficiaries will be given to them and the big garment companies to train we have
25:34 We will take care of the beneficiaries as they go on with their training for one year
25:40 We'll be giving them monthly stipends and after we will set them up how much are the monthly stipends?
25:46 It's 500 cities 500 cities. Yes
25:49 Per person for example for for these modules averagely the training you give them you say feeding as well, right?
25:55 We give them do you add feeding for for this textile this model no feed
26:00 But what we count them like the community protection assistance right we just become them
26:05 We train them for a certain period before we deploy them to the various police stations
26:10 When it comes to the community health we do the same thing so when they are camped we pay for the accommodation
26:16 We keep we pay for the the the idea of feeding and transport
26:21 Also, no matter where you are coming from all over the country. We just per person averagely
26:26 How much do you spend when you count them like this per person?
26:29 We pay we pay we pay we pay a lot all right the sanitation module unfortunately you will not have Cecilia another party
26:38 Work with because she has resigned, but how much how much of a contribution would you say the yea has made?
26:46 one of the foremost policies
26:50 That we've had has to do with making a crowd the cleanest city in Africa
26:54 How much of a contribution would you say the why he has made in terms of your engagement?
26:59 With the sanitation ministry ministry for sanitation and water resources. I
27:04 think there
27:06 We've not had a better
27:09 Engagement with the sanitation ministry why he has been running this model for years now
27:14 We I think as one model. I admit
27:19 the one or two challenges, but
27:23 We are making it better
27:27 We are making it better. Have you sent any?
27:30 why EA
27:33 Trained people there at any point since you know I mean we have beneficiaries of 45,000 all over the country
27:39 Okay, sweeping the various streets principal streets markets. These are why?
27:45 Beneficiaries, but the the
27:49 the
27:50 The only different from our traditional models that we run ourselves is that we pay
27:55 Okay, and I'm happy to tell you that and all in all the models. We've run so far. We don't owe anyone
28:02 Congratulations on that because usually there's a backlog
28:04 Yes, we don't owe
28:07 Sanitation is paid by our service provider. I mean to pay finance and government will pay
28:14 Has been an arrangement. I mean
28:18 Where the service provider is a lion zoom line? Okay? All right just just to
28:23 Move accelerate the conversation a bit
28:26 In terms of funding and logistics. How are you ferry anytime?
28:31 I engage a state agency like yours. I want to get into the funding of logistics some will tell you look
28:37 We're working with the bare-bones and doing so much. What is your situation like since you are feeding you are
28:44 Dating you are doing all of this. How are you doing it? What what is your funding for 2023 for example?
28:50 We get our money from the top tax
28:52 Top tax yes, and okay. Yes, that's the main funding for the youth employment agency
29:00 But over the years we've received capping capping capping
29:04 Which my almost one year stay?
29:08 here I can tell you that I
29:12 Wish the capital stop has the capping affected you work. Yes
29:16 It's a certain how much I mean I mean 30% 40% yes 30% 40%
29:22 I mean the kind of
29:25 Applications we get applicants we get good go downstairs to our job center. I mean serious I
29:32 Wish that's why you will never be capped. I'm telling you
29:37 The agency must run models to keep this country going we must you see what somebody gets out of school shs university
29:44 I mean they need a certain level of comfort before they get into the real
29:49 Job job job job job sector industry and why you provides that?
29:54 Yes, we are being kept
30:00 Yearly I don't know what how much will be kept this time around, but it's really affecting us the capital
30:07 They don't next year. Yes, we don't know we don't know but it's really affecting the youth employment agency
30:13 I mean you look at our models. We pay we pay people
30:17 500 cities every month now on our payroll we have about
30:21 25,000
30:24 You go to a DB. They will tell you and we just have to keep paying these people and if we have the money
30:31 We will recruit if we 25,000 by 500. That's 12.5 million. Yes a month a month
30:38 Yes, so let's multiply that by 12, and I'll give you 150 million Ghana City. Yes
30:44 So that's what you expect to pay to these yes, and you see this 25,000 these are our
30:50 traditional model beneficiaries we are talking about these
30:54 Artisan training it's not part of this we are giving 500 companies
31:00 10,000 cities each the big ones government
31:03 Companies were giving between hundred thousand two hundred thousand cities. This is not part of this
31:10 So I mean why you invest in why you can keep an eye on why you can audit?
31:17 Why you very well because the numbers the data is day
31:21 Do you feel I mean on the back of the numbers?
31:24 I mean just this 25,000 people 500 CDs a month by 12 gives you a whopping
31:31 150 million Ghana cities again. I'll go back what then substantively. What is your budget for this year for example?
31:38 How much has come into your kitty?
31:39 And do you feel hard done by that after all what you're doing and with of course you are overshooting your target
31:46 This capping and all of that. I think I can also
31:49 I
31:52 Know we are in difficult times I will I
31:56 Think I will not shy away from that but the capping that is not today, so yes
32:01 But I also think that we if we get our priorities, right?
32:06 the youth employment agency
32:09 Employing the youth of this country should be of utmost importance to everyone
32:15 It's not about only about the government even the private sector our industries
32:21 Companies they have to employ our people and we have to reach out to them. I
32:26 Wouldn't say I've been
32:30 Had done by had done by the government, but I think we can do this room for improvement room for improve
32:36 There's room for improvement and we must
32:38 Improve if I if I had to ask you I just want you to give me something tangible
32:44 It's a bit sketchy for now if I had to ask you that look
32:47 Would you need an extra 50 million Ghana cities?
32:51 100 million Ghana cities
32:53 200 million Ghana cities every year that would also give the powers that be maybe capping
32:58 What you get an idea of how much more is needed? What would you say?
33:02 Yeah, why you sense is budget to a model was your budget for this year?
33:07 How much were you looking for I think
33:12 Oh
33:14 500 million about 500 million
33:17 How much did you get we are so we are still we are still
33:21 You're getting it in. I know you shouldn't know. No, we get it in bits. That's that's exactly one thing
33:26 I should also commend the government
33:28 We are getting it in bits and it's coming. It's flowing. The bits are coming. The bits are coming
33:33 What was the what was the last bit? I think the last bit was in June June. Yes
33:38 The last bit about how much are we looking at?
33:40 I
33:42 Think it was substantial
33:44 What is that the overall capping for the yearly?
33:48 Allocation I think it should we should limit the company should limit the cap and free the way I tell you
33:55 That that's an interesting point free the way a free
33:58 You know, let's let the agency employ
34:03 Let's the agency employee a lot and these people contribute to the development of this country
34:11 I mean these by Tyler's the Macy's people we we want to train
34:17 We set them up
34:20 To become breadwinners and help the economy by paying taxes. Okay, but let me tell you the 500 small companies
34:27 SMEs we are engaging we are registering all of them
34:32 So they come they add up to the former sector because now
34:37 GRE can go and tax them when they start working when they start working
34:42 So you're also contributing to the country? Yes revenue. I mean
34:45 Revenue generation gap compared to yes our expenses now
34:52 We are looking at 1.8 percent from the start of the year
34:55 But but then what has been your collaboration with a city vet for example, because dr
35:00 Fred chai, Asamoah is also doing a fantastic job where he is. How are you collaborating?
35:05 We have an MOU with them when we have to do any training they do for us
35:11 They they prepared a curriculum and all these for us. Do they conduct all your trainings? Yes most all of them
35:19 We mostly most of them. Yes
35:21 Let's let's now turn our gaze to this
35:25 Sometimes you look at these programs employment programs and one thing that comes to mind one problem
35:31 sustainability
35:33 so
35:35 Nation builders core for example
35:38 If you if you recall if you asked yourself now where a lot of those who started are it's maybe problematic
35:45 Sustainability you give them some skills you give them some jobs to do but is this something that can translate long-term?
35:52 into into a
35:55 I don't know whether to say occupation or profession that they can engage in what is the status quo when it comes to the people?
36:01 I think you keep rolling out on your front belt. I think I
36:05 Will comment my management and board and our sector minister for this
36:11 for example our community health
36:14 Assistance we are running the exit strategy. This is the exit strategy. We have 6,000
36:21 beneficiaries
36:23 anyone interested in
36:25 moving into the
36:27 Nursing training schools will be given extra training and the person will be supported to start schooling
36:33 Now the person has practical experience will go into school and gets the theory
36:39 So that is the exit strategy for our community health assistance
36:43 What's interesting especially on the back of the fact that yes our nurses are moving. Yes, dro
36:48 Yes, not just nurses doctors and in fact medical people across the terrain. I have friends in there
36:54 So I know very well, so I think that's so that's that's an important
36:58 So as last week we had 2,000 of our beneficiaries
37:02 That's from the 6,000 they have bought forms and they want to be supported to move into the nursing training schools
37:10 So we are facilitating that when it comes to the as a prison assistance
37:15 Before signing the MOU with the Ghana prison service. They said why
37:19 If you want us to absorb your people make sure that those you
37:25 those you recruit have
37:28 Artisan skills
37:31 Artisanal skills skills, so we make sure that it was part of the requirements, okay?
37:38 So that right from the get-go
37:41 You would have to qualify before you you can yes brought on board and then that would mean you would qualify to roll on
37:48 I say so that's an exit strategy. I think the
37:50 Biggest one is the Ghana police
37:54 Okay, okay, so our people work with them for two years after they are laid off and it doesn't make sense
38:01 So you're talking about the community protection assistance community protection assistance. It doesn't make sense so we sat down with them
38:10 people went through the necessary training to be
38:13 To be recruited and also deployed by the Ghana police service now. We'll give them in service training
38:20 So anytime the Ghana police service is doing recruitment
38:23 Why?
38:25 Beneficiaries will be given priority because they've stayed with them for two years and they've gone through them the mail right to understand
38:33 and work
38:34 Closely with closely with the police so these are the exit strategies we have for our models
38:40 All right, and it's very it's very important to us. We don't want to do this unemployment in Syracuse employment
38:47 No, we don't want to do that
38:49 And we are taking the exit strategy very serious
38:54 Before we get into what other plans you would have for the rest of the year and also cap off I did say that we'll
39:00 Go back to some of the socialists used to rap
39:02 I've not forgotten but but but the 500 CDs you are giving
39:07 It's a very positive step
39:10 You know recently the NSS upgraded its bid from a little over 500 cities to a little over seven
39:16 I think 715 cities thereabouts if you do the raw calculations depending on where someone is coming from
39:24 Even 700 cities could be absorbed in transportation alone not to talk of food and all of that
39:29 Are you hoping to do something about the 500 Ghana cities? Okay, so last year before I came in it was 300 300 350
39:36 And it was increased to 500 right was it increased right when you came in. Yes after you came in
39:41 Yes, when I came I get I increased did you push for that?
39:44 Yes, I pushed for the increase of it to 500
39:48 One I think one thing you should also know why you models are district-based. Okay, we don't send people outside the other streets
39:58 So it limits transportation and other things just to also make sure that they are comfortable
40:04 The stipends they receive they are able to but look on the on the back of my brother on the back of inflation and everything
40:11 Affairs and everything
40:14 Are you pushing for more are you pushing for more? I mean I tell you we wish that they could be paid as you are paid
40:20 Multimedia, but don't you sit in a car?
40:24 You think five minutes of this is too small go to my village go to a front row a commodity front to where I come from
40:28 You give somebody five of the dynamics will always be different
40:31 Yes, 500 cities is much but we are wishing and we will continue to pray and hope that it is increased even doubled
40:39 For them before they the year ends. Okay, but we shouldn't also
40:45 Have at the back of our mind that we sit in our car and we think that five minutes of this is just peanuts. No
40:52 So
40:54 Chief here is saying that if it could even be increased to a thousand Ghana cities, you would be happy
41:02 So the powers that be if you can pull the strings and make it happen is that?
41:06 He would be anytime we are dealing with a private entity or a private company institution
41:12 We make sure that they don't pay our beneficiaries as we pay them
41:15 So they you want you they pay them more? Yes, they pay them just like with the National Service scheme
41:21 Private entities pay more why if you are collaborating with us as a private entity, you won't pay our beneficiaries less than 800 cities
41:29 I see. Yes. Okay, then there must be some competition for those also who will get who will get there
41:35 Which is not a bad thing. What what then are your your aspirations for the rest of?
41:41 2023 already on the front of the numbers
41:45 you've you've
41:48 Gone over a hundred percent more by the half year. What are your expectations for the rest of the year in terms of?
41:55 recruitment in terms of logistics in terms of
42:00 Funding for example, what what are you hoping to achieve by end?
42:04 2023 I think my expectations are the expectations of the management and board of the Youth Employment Agency
42:11 I always say that I am the poster boy, but I'm driven by the team I have
42:15 I say help me and everything we've achieved so far
42:20 the
42:22 Getting
42:25 More than we we I mean we were expecting I mean in numbers wise
42:29 Recruitment wise I think that's of I've had
42:34 Good support
42:37 valuable support from management staff and our sector minister our expectations are that
42:43 We will continue to recruits will continue to train people
42:46 We will continue to give people that need a skill the need of skills to help this country move forward
42:54 This is the agenda of a Youth Employment Agency our act and
42:59 Joins us to create
43:02 coordinate implement
43:04 facilitate the creation of jobs for the guardian youth and this
43:08 Is what we seek to do and we will do it
43:12 Just for your knowledge. I'm sure you're aware that latest
43:15 United Nations and also Ghana Statistical Service report showing that if you look at the number of youth who are not in employment
43:23 Not getting an education not in training in our country and you look at the youth balance
43:29 Comparatively it is stark and it is worrying you said it. I know it but you said it. It's a national security concern
43:36 I mean, so I can only wish
43:38 Well on this I think if there's this any other word
43:42 More than scary
43:44 Then I will use that word, but it's frightening. It's frightening
43:48 I think we should we should we should be worried how the government government alone can't employ everyone
43:54 Let's the private sector also get in the why your job center seeks to do that
44:01 We are reaching out to people. Let's get our people something to do. Okay, it will not only benefit
44:07 those you call
44:11 Corridors of power, but it will also benefit you because when they use takes a gun a cutlass and coming
44:18 It doesn't matter whether you work for multimedia or you work at why?
44:22 That is the truth. And that is what we all hope for just a couple of the conversation
44:27 I'm going to some social issues and we can call this conversation
44:30 We can bring it to a wrap two quick issues
44:34 related to your party
44:39 You spoke about how frightening the youth unemployment situation is
44:45 Some have also found it frightening just this morning interacting with some people on the a.m. Show
44:52 Some found it frightening that you would find about well millions of CDs in a former minister's house and
45:03 To the point where a million dollars can go missing without so much recognition until it becomes a huge problem and
45:11 They feel that especially as we are trying to get people back in the financial sector to put their money in the bank
45:18 This sends a certain wrong signal because people now start asking a what do people in government know?
45:23 That we don't for which reason they don't want to put their money in the bank
45:26 There's also the boogie naboo
45:29 Leaked tape situation about the IGP which people are calling for more
45:34 Stern investigations two quick matters. What is your take on either one as well? Let me tell you
45:41 Let me tell you I will not comment on issues before the court of law. I don't want to be cited for contempt
45:50 Which of these which of these are you?
45:54 The 1 million issue you just stated is before the court of law and as a law-abiding
46:00 Citizen I will not get into the special prosecutor. I mean the special prosecutor can get his his thing
46:06 But I know that these issues are in the court of law and I wouldn't like to comment on it. I see
46:12 But you can confirm that will not find 1 billion dollars if we I don't know let the court decide
46:18 I I respect the laws of this country right and I believe that everyone
46:24 Is entitled to to to to seek redress in the way?
46:29 He or she wants
46:33 Saying let's let's let the court deal with this. I will not answer that question
46:37 Any decision by the court right will be respected by?
46:41 Me that that is fair, but I'm just saying that in in support of our financial system
46:48 Wouldn't find 1 million dollars in your home if we came there would we?
46:52 my brother
46:54 These are court issues
46:57 You are not talking about this letter. I'm talking about you. You are talking about you me yes
47:02 The question again would we find 1 million dollars at your home if we came around I?
47:08 Don't have 1 million
47:11 That's that's all I needed okay, and on the book you know no no no I mean I mean you you
47:17 You preempted your question with Cecilia the first one which I think is a no that was what I was right
47:22 It's a legal issue
47:24 It's a legal issue
47:27 So I want to leave it as such but I can't be able to find 1 million in my room
47:33 I wish thankfully the leaked tape IGP one leaked it the IGP situation
47:38 Do you remember that hasn't been confirmed it has but green apple has in front yes
47:43 He has that he said oath is that those things happened. I mean I lost in this country. Let the laws deal with it
47:48 I mean seriously
47:50 and that's the whole point because I mean the law is
47:53 basically being toothless with this situation because
47:58 You you you defame me you defame me when you send when I send you to the courts
48:06 Do you know how long it takes?
48:09 But you as a journalist you are happy because it drugs for a long time before I can claim my name
48:14 Well from where I said we don't defame no, but I am just saying it
48:19 I have been in your shoes before we shouldn't I know that is a generic statement
48:22 No, no, we shouldn't pretend that this whole year than our attitude. No
48:26 Let's respect the laws of this country if boogie Naboo has
48:31 Committed any crime let the Lord. Let's the Lord deal with him for me. I believe in that
48:39 Nobody is above the law and the president has shown it all government officials have shown it
48:44 Special prosecutor must do his work all right the laws must work
48:50 And I don't know grand you generalist you can say that and this thing is dragging when you defend people
48:56 Do you know how long it takes for the courts to clear the person and you know the damage you would have caused
49:01 All those damages interestingly are taken into context as a student of the law. I'm fully aware of but thank you very much
49:09 Joining us for this conversation
49:11 He is chief executive officer of the Youth Employment Agency and in fact quite a bit of work. He's doing here
49:17 He's in the person of mr.. Kofi, Ba a Japo. Mr. Japo. We started off with a
49:21 handshake
49:23 All right, thank you for hosting us, and we wish you the very best
49:27 Maybe when I come back here at the close of year or at the start of another year
49:32 God willing you remain at post would have better to talk about in terms of the numbers you are putting
49:37 I mean I mean, and I'm excited to have you here and also your team. I thank you
49:43 We just have to sell the good news. It's not always about the bad news. We are doing a lot giving people
49:49 jobs giving people food to eat and
49:52 It's the most exciting news
49:55 I think that the media should be should be proud of and it's so exciting that we came here today
50:02 But I think that's where you you you've done well, and I appreciate multimedia for this wonderful
50:09 Gesture to suck to help the why is our news is not only about the why
50:15 But it's giving hope to people that there's a state agency like the Youth Employment Agency
50:20 That is ready or that is written out to them
50:24 It may not be the attempt today, but tomorrow it will be in the attempt and now we are doing marvelous
50:30 We are doing we are increasing our numbers. I tell you by the end of this year
50:33 We will add up we will set an unprecedented record and I always tell you the data is there for
50:40 For us to I mean look at it you go to our bankers a DB
50:44 They will tell you the number of people we pay every month
50:47 We don't hold beneficiaries the world is in crisis economies are collapsing look at what is happening to the UK yes
50:54 You tell me that people are rushing to the UK, but I can also tell you that the UK is in crisis
51:00 US is in crisis, but if the government can support them support why to provide jobs for our people
51:07 in an unprecedented manner
51:10 Like the why the Youth Employment Agency is doing my brother. We are blessed
51:15 I think the way we've ended the conversation only tells me that we have to have a second conversation maybe sometime
51:22 Down the road in this year, but it's been exciting and for you out there doing the watching
51:28 We're grateful that you've taken the time to join us. Thank you
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