The Dispatch: NPP to create 100,000 jobs by Dec. 2001

14 Feb 2001 -- President John Agyekum Kufuor (JAK) will deliver his first Sessional Address to Parliament tomorrow, (Thursday, February 15) and there are high expectations, since the Address, is expected to give a hint of the government's programme for the year, reports the Dispatch.

He may also give a hint of the 2001 Budget, expected within the next two weeks. Many Ghanaians will want to know how the New Patriotic Party (NPP) will create 100,000 jobs by the end of the year, as promised in their Manifesto.

Sources close to the Presidency have hinted that the Address is likely to be a brief overview of the NPP's Manifesto 2000, dubbed agenda for Positive Change. The address is also expected to have inputs from the just-ended Akosombo Workshop on the economy.

The President is expected to let Ghanaians know how his government will solve what have been identified as the major economic problems; the declining value of the cedis; excessive government debt and fiscal deficit; slow economic growth; rising rural and urban poverty; high unemployment, inflation and interest.

President Kufuor will explain how to strengthen an independent machinery of "justice, which is free of political interference, rule of law in its fullness and the enforceability of contracts under conditions of fair dealing and equity."

"JAK," as he is affectionately known, is expected to re-assure Ghanaians, how his government will curb " the progressively alarming crime rate and make the streets safe for our mothers, sisters and children."

One of the greatest expectations of the average Ghanaian is the President's promise of creating more jobs. The NPP's Manifesto promises the "establishment of a National Youth Corps to create at least 100,000 jobs by the end of its first year and even more in subsequent years.

The Ghanaian Times: 30,000 to get jobs this year

22 Feb 2001 ---- About 30,000 permanent jobs will be created this year by the government for the many unemployed youth, Mr Kwamena Bartels, Minister of Works and Housing was quoted by 'The Ghanaian Times' as saying.

He disclosed that a 50-million dollar foreign grant would be invested in the Housing Sector Development this year and that would generate jobs.

Speaking at a meeting with the executive of the Construction and Building Materials Workers' Union, Mr Bartels explained that youth unemployment was one major problem that the NPP government was determined to address and would do everything possible to solve it.