Tackling unemployment: Government to introduce youth in streetlight fixing but expert issues caution

Government is looking to send unemployed youth into fixing streetlights across the country but labour consultant Austin Gamey believes this is an initiative that could backfire.

Former minister of state and labour consultant, Austin Gamey, is doubtful that the government's attempt at tackling some unemployment by having young people go into streetlight fixing will yield sustainable job creation.

Austin Gamey is of the opinion that the government would be better off giving give the job to professionals already trained or alternatively ensure that the youth it recruits to work on the said project are reasonably protected.

Gamey complained that although the intention may be commendable, streetlight fixing is actually a risky job. As such, there was no need to put lives of the inexperienced hands at danger

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Gamey told Joy FM on April 17, 2019: “Anything that can be done to help people secure jobs is good and commendable.

What is rather difficult is the number of people being called upon to be trained to perform a task that is reasonably risky - fixing electrical bulbs on certain poles by the roadside.

“If it is about job creation, why don’t they get those people who are well trained to do the job so that we do not have unnecessary death and maiming."

Gamey’s remarks come on the back of a proposal made to Parliament’s Public Account Committee by the Minister for Youth and Sports on government’s plan to engage the youth to fix streetlights.

Isaac Asiamah on April 16,2019 said the programme is aimed at providing jobs for the youth and more street lights to illuminate the dark streets.

“What I have observed is that we purchase these streetlights all the time but due to lack of maintenance, they go off after few months. And this development is affecting everyone, including Members of Parliament and District Chief Executives.", said Asiamah

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“So what we are embarking upon is a project to train young people on how to repair streetlights and maintain them across the country,” Asiamah told the committee.

Gamey maintained that apart from the risky nature of what the country may be introducing the youth to, fixing bulbs is an unsustainable form of job creation.

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Source: YEN.com.gh