The Forestry Commission says it is set to provide some 15,000 jobs to the youth by January 2018 as part of its effort to expand its plantation projects across the country.
The 15,000 recruits will be trained and equipped to carry out forest plantation establishments, maintenance of existing forest plantations, coppice management and enrichment plantation.
As part of the employment drive, the Youth Employment Agency (YEA), would serve as the recruitment agency for the Commission.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to that effect has been signed between the Forestry Commission and the YEA in Accra.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Commission, Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, signed the MOU on behalf of his outfit, while the YEA’s Chief Executive Officer, Justin Kodua, signed for the agency.
The YEA will commit about GHc44 million, whiles the Forestry Commission will commit GHc60 million towards the remuneration of the beneficiaries as per the agreement.
Mr Afriyie, in his remarks at the signing ceremony, observed that in fulfilment of government’s pledge to create employment for the teeming unemployed youth, the government has allocated funds for the development and implementation of a forest plantation programme.
Mr Afriyie disclosed that the employment programme is for an initial period of two years after which it will be reviewed, extended and enhanced. He added that all 15,000 employees of the programme would earn a monthly allowance of GHc 400.00 during the first phase of the Forest Plantation Programme.
“The youth would be engaged in farming in the forest areas that we have earmarked, while others would be into reforestation amongst others.
“We are employing the youth because the job requires people who are a bit stronger, which is why the YEA is partnering with us.
“After the two years we are going to ensure that they have permanent jobs,” Mr Afriyie said.
Mr Afriyie added that “the graduates would undertake monitoring and other tasks, but a majority of those who are going to be employed would be engaged on the farms.”
By: ADR Daily News Desk
