Offinso (Ash), Feb 3, GNA - Mr Kwaku Nkansah, an Offinso-based Businessman, has expressed concern about the alarming rate of youth unemployment in the country and has advised the Government to address the problem immediately.

He said the youth should be adequately mobilised, encouraged and supported to enable them to contribute meaningfully towards the social and economic development of the country.

Speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency at Offinso on Sunday, Mr Nkansah said he was not happy that many energetic youth were engaged in hawking, trading and other unproductive activities for a living, which had no meaningful impact on economic development.

"The country's economy could be greatly improved if the vibrant energy, skills and potentials of the youth were harnessed, developed and re-directed to the productive sectors of the economy", he said. He observed that the country stood to lose greatly if the youth were not encouraged to contribute positively and meaningfully towards the Government's social and economic policies and programmes. Mr Nkansah attributed the increasing armed robbery, indiscipline and other social vices among the youth to neglect and lack of a well-directed youth policy in the country.

He advised district assemblies, traditional councils, religious bodies, organisations and institutions to complement the efforts of the Government in its programme to equip, rehabilitate and re-settle the numerous unemployed youth.