Mpraeso (E/R), Nov. 5, GNA- A Nine-member District Population Advisory Committee (DPAC) with the District Chief Executive as Chairman has been inaugurated at Mpraeso in the Kwahu South District to advise the National Population Council NPC) on population related policies and programmes.

The inauguration coincided with the launch of the African Youth Alliance (AYA) in the district.

A Deputy Minister of Manpower Development and Employment, Mrs Angela Ofori-Atta, said the government had initiated pragmatic programmes for the nation's youth to acquire the requisite vocational and other academic training to be gainfully employed.

She said since the youth contribute immensely to the country's labour population they should be given the needed education and training to enable them to contribute towards the nation's development.

Mrs Ofori-Atta urged the AYA and other organisations to assist the various youth groups to organise and initiative their own programmes to enhance development of their communities.

She said her Ministry had initiated a programme to train and resource the youth to enhance their income generating activities.

The District Chief Executive, Mr Raymond Osafo Djan, said one major problem affecting the smooth implementation of population policies in the district is the absence of an adequate body to translate policy objectives into relevant action plans.

The DPAC said he would assist, co-ordinate, monitor and evaluate wide spectrum of development issues including fertility management, employment creation, environmental protection and assess to economic and social services in the society.

He said in addition to meeting the needs of the populace to ensure a healthy population, there was the need to curb the ever increasing incidence of HIV/AIDS pandemic, which is prevalent at transit towns and tourism attraction areas.