Develop Mining Sector to create jobs for the Youth-Central Region House of Chiefs President to Mahama

The President of the Central Regional House of Chiefs, Odeefo Amoakwa Buadu has underscored the significance of the mining sector towards the job creation agenda of the country.

He has thus called on President Mahatma to develop initiatives in the mining sector in a bid to create employment for the teeming unemployed youths in Ghana.

”We need to develop the mining sector, especially lithium mining to enable us to gain lasting benefits for our people. The first lithium agreement that is expected to help transform the Central Region, still awaits ratification by parliament”.

Central Region is known for its high unemployment rate and its mineral resources and the Chief opines that exploring the mineral resources in appropriate ways, coupled with investing in skill development could create many job opportunities for the young people in the region.

Odeefo Amoakwa Buadu emphasized the need to invest in skill development to attract business opportunities for the youth.

The President of the Central Regional House of Chiefs made the call, when President Mahama in the company of the Vice President, Prof Naana Jane Opku Agyemang visited Cape Coast to thank the Chiefs and people of the Central Region for the massive support during the 2024 general elections.

“Your victory resonates the change the people of Ghana want and that things should be done differently to meet the aspirations of the people”, the Chief stated.

Odeefo Amoakwa Buadu indicated that “chiefs in Ghana including Central Region chiefs are looking for ways to improve the socioeconomic wellbeing of the people”.

”The role of chiefs in the development of Ghana has been relegated to the background by successive governments”.

He maintained that “the change should reconsider the relationship between the government and the chieftaincy institution”.

“Include chiefs in key and relevant committees that are aimed at addressing national issues. We will work closely with you to address the challenges of the region and improve the development goals of the central region”, he stressed.

President John Dramani Mahama maintained that the support of Central Region was instrumental to the success of the NDC during the 2024 elections.

He thanked the Region for producing the first  female Vice President, adding that “she gained that in her own right and not because she’s a woman”.

”We intend to keep our electoral promises”, the President said. Adding,” the Central Region has contributed immensely to the economic, cultural and political life of Ghana”.

President Mahama was committed to the development of the region and assured the Chiefs and people of their fair share of the national cake.

He emphasized that he was the President for all Ghanaians and was committed to fostering unity and inclusivity, ensuring that no person was left behind.

“We will invest in programmes and policies that create jobs for the youth and provide opportunities for farmers, entrepreneurs and workers from diverse sectors. The 24hour economy programme is designed  to enhance employment by creating an enabling environment for all businesses of different backgrounds to employ more people through a three shift system”.

The President touched on the Mankessim market and indicated that it was one of the markets targeted for modernization under the government’s market enhancement programme.

On the Anomabo  Fisheries College, President Mahama said it was the dream of late President John Evans Atta Mills but was abandoned for eight years, after the NDC government left office in 2017, even when it was at an advanced stage of completion.

He said the government would make provision in the budget to complete the project  by the end of 2025.

The President however touched on  government’s plans to improve roads in the Central Region and to make the Komenda Sugar Factory operational.