A Deputy Information Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa says the government hopes to create about 2,500 jobs this year. Two thousand of these job opportunities are expected to come from the agric sector. Mr Ablakwa told Joy FM’s Super Morning show host Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah Wednesday that the government was adopting innovative measures to address the unemployment situation in the country. Asked whether he thinks creating 2,500 jobs is good enough, the Deputy Information Minister said the number was “an important first step towards addressing the unemployment problems in the country.” Although Mr Ablakwa admitted he did not know the exact figures on unemployment, he said the level of unemployment inherited was quite significant. Touching on the net freeze on public sector employment, the minister said the policy does not affect certain critical ministries such as the health and education ministries. These ministries, according to him, are the largest ministries with many job openings. The security agencies are exempted from the freeze, he explained. He said the Attorney-General's Department, the Chieftaincy Ministry and the Statistical Service had been filling vacancies in the ministries. A new policy has been put in place to ensure that national service personnel who excel in stations will be retained after their service, the minister said. About 150 people, the minister noted had been engaged in the tourism sector and would be retained if they prove their worth. Mr. Ablakwa emphasized that the government’s resolve to create sustainable jobs for the citizenry is well on course. Story by Malik Abass Daabu/Myjoyonline/Ghana