A total of 2,714 youths from the nine districts of the Upper West Region are to be employed by Zoil Ghana Limited, a subsidiary company of Zoomlion Ghana Limited. Working in collaboration with the National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP), these youth would be engaged in the new National Forest Plantation Development Programme, in the region. Briefing the Ghana News Agency in Wa, on Tuesday, Mr. Yakubu Yahaya, Acting Assistant Regional Operations Supervisor of Zoomlion Ghana Limited, said the programme was aimed at developing a sustainable resource base that would satisfy the future demand for industrial timber and enhance environmental quality. This, he noted, would not only relieve the pressure on natural forests but also restore the degraded forest cover of the country, thereby, enhancing the greening Ghana concept. Mr. Yahaya added that the programme would also reduce the wood deficit situation in the country. "A target of about 2,714 hectares is to be planted and managed by the youth with each employee responsible for one hectare of land," he stressed. Mr. Yahaya said in order to sustain the programme, those engaged would be assisted and encouraged to embark on crop farming to earn some income. He expressed the hope that the ongoing programme would assist in reducing the unemployment rate in the beneficiary districts and also provide food and income for both direct and indirect beneficiaries. Mr. Yahaya, therefore, appealed for cooperation from District Assemblies, traditional authorities, civil society groups, private and public institutions to ensure the success and sustainability of the programme. He also called on the chiefs and opinion leaders in the various communities to advise their people to desist from indiscriminate bush burning and felling of trees. Source: GNA