Tamale, Oct. 20, GNA - The National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP) has so far employed over 13, 265 youths in the Northern Region through its various employment modules Since it inception in 2006. The NYEP has employed 1,849 youth under its health extension workers module, 3,103 under the community teaching assistants module, 6,786 under the agri-business, 358 in internship, 885 under water and sanitation, 173 under the community protection unit with 111 serving as staff under the programme.

Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris, Northern Regional Minister, said this at the 2nd anniversary celebration of the NYEP in Tamale on Saturday. The celebration was on the theme: "Investing in people, investing in jobs".

He said due to the drought and floods that plagued the region last year, the agric-business did not do well but managed to harvest about 6,503 bags of grains which were sold and the proceeds treated as a revolving fund while some were given to victims of the floods. He said agric-business in particular had contributed in reducing the rural-urban drift in the region as it had created employment opportunities for the youth and also instilled in them a sense of patriotism.

Alhaji Idris assured the youth that the NYEP had come to stay and urged those still loitering about without jobs to take advantage of it. Mr. Thomas Wedjong, Regional Liaison Officer of the NYEP, urged the youth to appreciate what the government had done for them and reciprocate by working hard and exhibiting a high sense of discipline in the discharge of their duties.

He advised them not to be demoralized by the derogatory remarks people make of them but to remain focus and determined to improve upon their qualifications so that they can get permanent employment. Mr. Iddrissu Haruna, the Tamale Youth Employment Coordinator, said the NYEP had been a success and commended government for recognizing the role of the youth in national development by offering them the opportunity to contribute their quota to the development of the country.