Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim Awal
The Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim Awal, has called on Ghanaians to support the 2022 budget presented for approval in parliament by the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta.
According to him, government intends to create 1 million jobs through a YouStart initiative where the youth will be supported with funds to build their businesses.
Addressing journalists in Tamale, Dr. Awal explained that the budget is meant to raise funds to support infrastructure development such as schools , roads , hospitals adding that without money it will be difficult to undertake such developmental projects.
“ The E-levy will give us annually Gh 6 billion and that money will go into infrastructure projects and to empower the youth with jobs and loans to expand and develop their businesses.”
The Minister said about 250,000 people graduate from the university every year and that only 2% of those who graduate get access to public sector jobs.
“ The 98% must find jobs in the private sector so it’s government’s intention through entrepreneurship through the YouStart to invest in mentoring ,education , funding of youth owned businesses.”
He disclosed that entrepreneurs who present good proposals will get funding between Gh 30,000 to Gh 50,000 and SMEs can get up to Gh 400,000 to ensure that within 3-4 years about 1million jobs will be created.
The Minister lamented that 18.4 million Ghanaians are eligible to pay taxes but only 2.4 Ghanaians are paying tax.
“ We need to expand the tax net , the E-levy will bring in more money to support development. Out of 150,000 companies registered in Ghana , only 45,000 are paying tax so it’s not our intention to burden people but we have to find the money and support critical development.”
The Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture said the ministry intends to create about 250,000 jobs every year with the launch of domestic and international tourism derive under the beyond the return project.
“ As we speak today international arrivals has increased from 200,000 last year to 420,000 and we want to ensure that 1 million people in Ghana go round across the country to understand each others culture , generate income among others.”
He hinted that the ministry will build a museum at the Gbewa Palace in Yendi in the Northern region as well as renovate all the existing tourist attractions across the country to attract more tourists within Ghana and outside Ghana to generate revenue and create jobs.
FROM Eric Kombat, Tamale