The General Secretary of the Industrial and Commercial Workers Union (ICU), Morgan Ayawine, has urged the government to prioritise partnership with the private sector to provide decent jobs for the youth. 

He said providing gainful employment for the youth could dissuade them from engaging in negative activities that would derail the accelerated development of the country.

"We cannot mentor the youth of today in unionism who cannot boast of decent jobs and expect them to take up from them," Mr Ayawine added.

He said the ICU was ready and willing to provide systematic training to equip the youth with the necessary skills.

Mr Ayawine was speaking at the 6th ICU Youth Quadrennial Delegates conference in Tema, Greater Accra, on the theme: “Enhancing productivity at the workplace: the role of young workers”.

Advice

The General-Secretary, however, urged the youth to be responsible for themselves by being prepared to be trained and mentored to continue with the activities of the ICU in future.

"The expansion and growth of ICU is dependent on your activeness and deliberate education for those yet not on board,” he said.

On the government’s performance, Mr Ayawine said that although much had been done to improve the economy, the private sector must be supported to create the needed jobs to absorb the youth.

“This will discourage most young men and women from sojourning to the West for greener pastures.

"It is a disincentive for the government to train the youth with skills, but due to a lack of jobs will leave the shores of Ghana to grow others’ economy," he added. 

The Head of the Gender and Youth Desk of ICU, Esinam Poku, urged the youth to take advantage of the conferences and training programmes and also adhere to the principles of the ICU to enable them to become strong advocates of the union.

Swearing-in

The Deputy General-Secretary of the ICU, Emmanuel Benimah, swore in National Youth Executive Committee members to steer the affairs of the ICU youth wing.

The executive body is chaired by Samuella Birago Amofo, with Alabira Habib as vice-chairperson; secretary, Ms Dorothy Abedomo; assistant secretary, Afreh Poku, and Raymond Adjei Ako as an executive member.

In her acceptance speech, Ms Birago Amofo assured the national leadership of their readiness to support and learn from them.

She encouraged the youth in industries to join the ICU to improve their welfare and living conditions.