Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, says government will integrate NABCO trainees into the YouStart Programme.
He said the Nation Builder’s Corps, NABCO Programme, which was initially to run for three years and extended for an additional year, will be completed by September 1 this year.
The Programme which engaged one hundred thousand (100,000) young graduates, has prepared thousands for permanent employment.
According to him, as the NABCO trainees exit, they are encouraged to take advantage of the YouStart initiative and other existing programmes.
He said the YouStart Programme will carve a niche for young entrepreneurs to build robust businesses to create employment.
“Our iconic National Builder’s Corps (NaBCo) programme, which was initially to run for three years and extended for an additional year, will be completed by 1st September, 2022. The Programme- which engaged a 100,000 young graduates, has prepared thousands of them for the world of work.
So far we have invested approximately GH¢2.2 billion. As they exit, the current cohort on the programme are encouraged to take advantage of the YouStart initiative
and other existing programmes in our drive to Build an Entrepreneurial Nation. Government’s policy is to support dynamic young entrepreneurs access training and funds to build their businesses and become a significant pool of job providers for their fellow young people.”
The Finance Minister said government is committed to paying the agreed 15 per cent Cost of Living Allowance, COLA, to public sector employees to improve their livelihoods.
“Mr. Speaker, this Government has kept faith with public sector workers. Not a single public sector employee was laid off as a result of the COVID 19 pandemic. Employees received their full salaries, with front line health workers receiving additional incentives. Since 2017, this Government has employed an additional 295,035 Ghanaians
in the public sector, with 2020 being the highest, registering 84,181 new employees.
In spite of the prevailing global economic upheavals and the resultant fiscal challenges, Government continues to pay salaries of all public sector employees on Government Payroll and has committed to pay a Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) of 15 percent. This ensures that public servants are motivated, and public services nationwide
continue uninterrupted”
On security measures, Mr Ofori-Atta said government has put in place stringent measures to ensure the security of all Ghanaians, considering the terror attacks in the West African sub-region.
He added that Government has initiated measures to improve the local economy and boost production.
Mr. Ofori-Atta said the country is in difficult times and pleaded with Ghanaians to bear with government to put the country back on track.
