National Youth Authority (NYA) has called on parliament to pass the 2022 budget to help bring development in the country.
Addressing a press conference in Accra yesterday to examine the Budget Statement and Economic Policy for the 2022 Financial Year, as presented by the Minister for Finance, Hon. Ken Ofori-Atta on Wednesday 17 November 2021 to Parliament, the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the NYA, Hon. Pius Enam Hadzide outlined at least 13 programs in the budget developed to create employment opportunities and support youth entrepreneurs.
Consequently, the Authority endorsed the Budget Statement and the Policy Measures contained therein to actualise the listed programs to tackle youth unemployment and prayed Parliament to pass the Budget.
The Budget was similarly endorsed by individual youth groups including the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS).
The Authority was therefore surprised at the turn of events on Friday 26 November 2021.
Whiles urging the August house to play its role as given by the 1992 Constitution, it is important that Parliament observes a high level of sensitivity towards matters of collective national interest.
Any undue delay to the passage of the Budget would greatly disadvantage the Ghanaian youth and imperil job creation opportunities in the Budget. It is our expectation that as Parliament reconvenes on Tuesday 30 November 2021, it will be guided by decorum, consensus, bi partisanship and the supreme interest of the generality of Ghanaians, particularly the youth, in the passage of the Budget.
The Authority prays the Minority Caucus of Parliament to cease the opportunity the Finance Minister offers and engage him without delay to address any matters at issue which do not prejudice the quality and quantity of the job creation initiatives promised to the youth.
The NYA remains committed to promoting the best interests of the Ghanaian youth in accordance with its mandate and shall take all necessary steps in furtherance of that mandate.
