We have created 400,000 jobs in 6 years – Muntaka

Majority Chief Whip, Muntaka Mubarak says the National Democratic Congress administration led by President John Mahama has in the last six years created about 346,000 jobs and intends to create more when voted for in the November polls.

He said the issue of unemployment is a global problem but the NDC government is working assiduously to ensure that the number of jobs it has already created is increased in its next administration.

Speaking on Joy News’ innovative election programme, Ballot Box, the Member of Parliament for Asawase in the Ashanti Region said “We are very sensitive to the teeming youth of our country who do not have jobs that is why we don’t go about mentioning the volume of jobs we have created because it is a 2 million problem, so you don’t go about patting your back just by creating about 400,000.”http://ghanapoliticsonline.com

The NDC government he said is bent on improving upon the unemployment situation and has begun a process of collaboration with the National Youth Employment Agency, Enterprise Foundation and the Employers Association to create more jobs for the youth.

Through the collaboration, about 5000 youth will be injected into companies through internships where they can learn on the job and in the end be employed, he hinted.

The MP said government has created a 51 million cedis fund to support local pharmaceutical companies for the manufacture of anti-retroviral malaria drugs.

This fund will help in the expansion of these companies, which in the long term will also result in employment, he said.

In the informal sector, Mr Mubarak said about 70 million seedlings will be distributed from next year to cocoa and coffee farmers to support those who want “do something on their own.”

He indicated that free fertilizer and other agrochemicals will be distributed as well.

For the private sector, the MP said a ?250 million fund will be created to support the private sector, since they play a vital role in fixing the unemployment situation.

“These are areas that we will continue to strengthen,” he said.

The student body present at the interaction were obviously not satisfied with the government’s plan as stipulated by the MP, but he insists that his party is doing a great job and will do more.