The CEO addressing Journalists
Emmanuel Sin-Nyet Asigri, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of National Youth Authority (NYA), says the Youth Development Secretariat of the Economic Community of West African States (EYSDC) has lifted the ban it placed on the recruitment of Ghanaian youth for its programmes abroad.
According to him, managers of NYA four years ago, breached the terms of engagement related to persons required for EYSDC international programmes, as a result of which the country was blacklisted.
“We are very excited about this new development, especially at a time when the President is exploring credible opportunities to ensure that the majority of the youth are gainfully employed,” he remarked.
At a press conference held Friday in Accra to announce the departure of 10 youth entrepreneurs to Benin and Burkina Faso for a 30-day enhanced training programme, he reiterated the relevance of such programmes to creating exposure for the youth, among other benefits.
Acquah Eric, Owusu Kwaku James, Philip Agyei, Buckman Jacob and Evans Kwakye, according to him, will receive training in auto mechanics or air conditioners engineering in the Republic of Burkina Faso while Sandra Oppong, Richard Odei Appiah, Carlos Jeffrey Abayinale and Ayamba Sakina Rebecca, would receive training in Agro Processing techniques in the Republic of Benin.
The entrepreneurs, after their successful graduation, are expected to receive grants from the organizers to help them start businesses.
The Ecowas Youth and Sports Development Centre (EYSDC) is a specialized agency of the Economic Community of West African States that focuses on youth and sports in the West-African sub-region.
This is a permanent institutional framework in the community through which youth and sporting activities can be developed and promoted.
The Centre was established during the 28th Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS held in January 19, 2005 to initiate, develop, coordinate, monitor and implement programmes concerning youth and sports development and building of their capacities in order to fully harness their potentials for national and regional development.
Sandra Oppong, in an interview with DAILY GUIDE shortly after the conference, expressed appreciation to NYA and promised to make good use of the training to help grow her business.
By Solomon Ofori