The Chief of Heman-Prestea in the Western Region, Nana Nteboah Prah IV, has lauded government for introducing a programme designed specifically to deal with graduate unemployment.

Speaking at a mini durbar to welcome Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia on Sunday, he urged his subjects to take advantage of NABCO, saying an opportunity to earn a living should not be sniffed at.

“It is a very good programme. If you are an unemployed graduate, staying home all this while, and there is an opportunity to earn a living and start something for yourself at the end of the month, then I will urge you to take it up. I think government deserves praise.

“We look forward to beginning of the registration in our Prestea Huni Valley Municipality. I believe it will help you the unemployed graduate and all of us, and reduce the burden on yourself and your family.”

The Nation Builders Corps (NABCO), which is set to offer employment to 100,000 graduates this year programme and would engage at least 350 graduates in every constituency in seven different modules, is one of a number of measures designed to tackle the unemployment situation in the country, and this, according to Nana Nteboah Prah, deserves high praise.

Outlining a number of policies and programmes initiated in the 16 months of the new government, Nana Nteboah Prah singled out the setting up of a Zongo Development Fund and the appointment, for the first time in Ghana’s history, of a Minister for Zongo and Inner City Development as a “reflection of the new governance style introduced by the Akufo-Addo government.”

“This is a new thing introduced by this government, that the Presidency would tour Zongos, fraternise with them and know their challenges. They have even appointed a Minister for Zongos. Some of us were born in the Zongo so we know how life is in the Zongos. We commend Government for the commitment to the development of Zongos. We also have a Zongo in Prestea, and we are confident that the impact of the activities of the Zongo Development Fund would also be felt in Prestea Zongo.”

In brief remarks, Vice President Bawumia assured the chiefs and people of the Western region that the Nana Akufo-Addo government has begun fulfilling its promises to Ghanaians and is determined to make life better for the ordinary Ghanaian.

The Vice President was in the Western Region on the latest leg of a nationwide Ramadan Tour to pray with his Moslem brethren and seek Allah’s blessing for the nation. He also offered special prayers for the sustenance and enhancement of the peace Ghana continues to enjoy in spite of the multiplicity of religious faiths in the country.

He was accompanied by the Regional Minister, Dr Kwaku Afriyie, his deputy Eugenia Kusi, Minister for Zongo Development, Boniface Abubakar Saddique and other government and NPP officials.