Professor of Economics at the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research – University of Ghana, Peter Quartey, is admonishing government to institute a legal framework to permanently establish the Nations Builders Corps (NABCO) programme.
Speaking to the Goldstreet Business, Professor Quartey mentioned the programme will only become viable in the economy if it obtains legal backing.
“I think there should be legal basis backing the programme so that it becomes a permanent feature. This will shape the participants towards the world of work”, he said.
According to him, NABCO was not set up necessarily to put monies into the pockets of unemployed graduates, but also serve as a capacity building and training venture, which will effectively position beneficiaries unto the job market after their three years contact had expired.
Professor Quartey added that if the progamme will be given the needed support and relevance, it could reduce the rate of graduate unemployment situation in the country.
“I expect that after this, the participants themselves would have upgraded their skills, have some work experience which they can use to apply for full time jobs elsewhere” he noted.
Market
One important area the professor touched on was marketing the initiative to appeal to the job community. He mentioned it was important government markets the programme to create awareness of employers.
He explained that when someone shows up a certificate of completion of the programme, it must therefore become easier for the participant to gain permanent employment.
Passing out ceremony
The president, Nana Akufo-Addo is expected to inaugurate the maiden passing out ceremony of applicants who went through the entire process and were successful.
The programme will be held today at the Independence Square in Accra and it is expected that beneficiaries from the other regions will join the ceremony.
Background
On May 1, 2018, President Akufo-Addo launched the NABCO programme in Kumasi. The programme is estimated to have employed about 100,000 unemployed graduates in seven areas of the economy to assist in public service delivery.
The seven areas which are expected to absorb the unemployed graduates are Civic Ghana, Feed Ghana, Enterprise Ghana, Digitize Ghana, Revenue Ghana, heal Ghana and Educate Ghana.
Successful applicants, who will be passing out today have gone through rigorous checks to ensure that the system accepts only qualified people.
Meanwhile, institutional placement of successful applicants is expected to commence today as well.
By Dundas Whigham
