Manasseh Azure Awuni, an investigative journalist, has stated that each year, NGOs train and support hundreds of kayayei.
He noted that despite this, thousands more, primarily from northern Ghana, continue to migrate to major market centers in cities across the country.
However, Awuni noted that serious government interventions for these individuals are rarely seen, except during election years when politicians and governments showcase token efforts as accomplishments, hoping to gain votes in return.
“I recently incurred the wrath of many NPP followers when I questioned the overall impact of one of such supposed achievements by the NPP and its candidate. Those who disagreed with me but were civilized enough to engage and not insult argued that if a kayayo becomes a bus driver, it will serve as a motivation to the rest.
“And my question was: a motivation to do what? Those young women and girls are sufficiently inspired and motivated. They are among the hardest-working Ghanaians. What they need is a meaningful opportunity”.
Manasseh Azure Awuni
Awuni further stated that the government should not compete with NGOs by offering support to only a few individuals and showcasing them on television for votes.
He emphasized that the government’s role is to create opportunities that prevent young people from flocking to market centers, or better yet, offer incentives that encourage them to leave these centers in large numbers.
He argued that if the country can afford to waste $58 million on digging a hole for the National Cathedral and over one billion cedis on questionable deals with SML, it certainly has the resources to support the youth of Ghana.
Awuni also pointed out that the NPP, who criticized John Mahama for allegedly transporting a supposed LEAP beneficiary-turned-pig farmer to the State of the Nation Address, should not expect to be praised for simply training a few young women to drive buses. “NGOs are already doing that”.
He pointed out that the young woman who drove Vice President Bawumia and was falsely claimed to be one of the kayayei trained through the vice president’s initiative had actually been trained by an NGO.
Awuni Criticizes NYEP Misuse, Urges Real Youth Opportunities
Furthermore, Manasseh Azure Awuni emphasized that citizens must hold the government to high standards.
He pointed out that one of the most significant initiatives aimed at empowering individuals like the head porters was the National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP), launched by the Kufuor administration in 2006.
Unfortunately, he noted, the government misused the program, creating questionable companies like Zoomlion. Zoomlion’s first contract was awarded through the NYEP, and it has continued to benefit from such contracts to this day.
“When the NDC won power, it added its own cronies, such as rLG, Asongtaba, and Zeera, and expanded Zoomlion’s unconscionable deals. In 2024, sweepers under the Youth Employment Programme are paid 850 cedis per month through Zoomlion, but the contract says Zoomlion should take 600 cedis and pay the sweepers only 250 cedis a month.
“Any presidential candidate who truly cares about the youth should address these anomalies and give them genuine opportunities”.
Manasseh Azure Awuni
He further lamented that district assemblies lack the funds to carry out projects or employ rural youth because presidents have overseen fraudulent contracts awarded in Accra on behalf of the assemblies.
Awuni noted that a large portion of the assemblies’ share of the Common Fund is used to pay for these contracts.
He indicated that even contracts to sweep markets across the country are awarded and paid for in Accra.
According to him, the youth, particularly from regions with limited rainfall for year-round farming, migrate to cities for work, some temporarily and others permanently.
He noted that leaders are aware of this and must be held accountable.
Awuni noted that both Bawumia and John Mahama, hailing from northern Ghana, are well aware of the severe poverty in the region. “They know the youth have nothing to do during the long spell of the dry season”.
He stressed that the youth are not lazy or lacking motivation; they lack the opportunities that should keep them in their communities.
Awuni asserted that unfortunately, groups like the kayayei are only highlighted during election time. “If their votes matter, their lives must matter more”.
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