The Minister for Transport and MP for Effutu, Mr. Mike Hammah has reiterated government's commitment to the welfare of the youth in a bid to accelerate the pace of national development. He noted that no nation can develop without a comprehensive youth policy because the youth is a formidable force to reckon with in the developmental agenda. Mr. Hammah was addressing students of the Tertiary Education Institution Network (TEIN) branch of the University of Education, Winneba at a forum in Winneba. The theme for the occasion was: "Building consensus for better Ghana agenda" and was attended by members from the Pan-African Christian University College at Pomadze, Cape Coast Polytechnic, Takoradi Polytechnic and the University of Ghana, Legon. Mr. Hammah said among some of the interventions government had initiated to deal with youth unemployment in the country, are the ZOIL brigade and Youth in Agricultural programmes. The Minister said government had been trying to stabilize the economy since it assumed office and assured that:" there will be a substantial growth of the economy this year". Mr. Hammah asked the youth to be patient and bear with government as she makes frantic efforts to address their concerns. The Deputy National Youth Organizer of the NDC, Mr. James Kofi Fonu, said a national forum will be held at Keta in the Volta Region, between March 18 and 21 this year, to collate views for a comprehensive youth policy in which youth employment will be the major focus. According to him, the policy document will come out with a strategic plan on study leave with pay for student teachers in tertiary institutions adding, "the youth will no longer be taken for granted in terms of employment". The Central Regional Youth Organiser, Mr. Ato Amoah, advised the youth "to eschew laxity, selfishness and high expectations from government since such attitudes had the potential to divert government's attention from pursuing the better Ghana agenda". The Municipal Chief Executive for Effutu, Nii Ephraim, said the previous administration dissipated the coffers of the assemblies and that the NDC government had been paying debts since it assumed office. Earlier in a welcome address, the President of TEIN, University of Education, Winneba, Mr. James Mahama, reminded the party to fulfill its campaign pledges as they will be accountable to Ghanaians one day. He called on the National executives to remember and see to the welfare of foot soldiers who campaigned for the party to win power in 2008. During an open forum, most of the students reminded government to fulfill its campaign pledge of giving student teachers in tertiary institutions study leave with pay. Source: GNA