Ghana will be able to access €43 million to support its youth employment programme expected to halve the nation’s unemployment rate beginning next year, the European Union (EU) has said.
EU Ambassador to Ghana, William Hanna who made the announcement said it is to help the country wean itself off foreign aid as declared by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo last week.
The EU Chief Diplomat in Ghana told the media onn Tuesday March 7, 2017 that he was optimistic the initiative would help Ghana stem the tide of growing unemployment of its vibrant youth.
The President has said he is committed to ensuring that Ghana does not continue to depend on foreign aids to run its economy and address difficulties in the country.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo first made this declaration when he took his oath as the 5th President of the country and repeated it when he addressed the nation during his first State of the Nation Address.
Mr Hanna who has identified with the President’s announcement said the EU will help Ghana to achieve the target it has set for itself.
He stated job creation is a top priority of the Union and will extend the needed support to the country.
He said Ghana is eligible to access the EU Trust Fund that has been set up to deal with migration and other social issues across the world.
“We will support job creation in Ghana through our current employment programmes, including technical and vocational training,” he said.
Mr Hanna also announced plans by the EU to launch an Agricultural programme dubbed, Market Oriented Agricultural Programme with a financial allocation of €35 million starting next April.
He has charged Ghanaian businesses to take advantage of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) signed by the previous government to maximize their potentials.
“The EPA agreement which Ghana and some other countries have signed on is the best trade deal in the world”, he added.
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