Features
Essence of the Nation Builders Corps
All too soon, the Nation Builders Corps (NABCO) has chalked three-and-a-half years after being introduced in the country as part of efforts by government to deal with the problem of youth unemployment in the country and the evidence for this laudable programme is there for all to see.
It has helped to ease pressure on unemployed graduates from our tertiary institutions. As a result, many of them can depend on their own selves for their basic personal expenditure instead of depending on their parents or guardians.
JOB MARKET
The programme is meant to prepare them adequately for the future job market and to make them more competent regarding their employable skills. If such skills are not well developed, it will adversely affect the employment potentials of such graduates.
All these go to show the significance of the programme which has come in at the right time to address the unemployment problem facing the youth. It is for this reason that the marking of at least three years of the programme is most appropriate, very welcome and also constitutes a step in the right direction.
At the same time, a new Module has been launched known as NABCO Skills and Talent Academy.This module is meant to unearth the skills and talents inherent in the personnel who are to operate under the programme. Other new modules have been included in the NABCO programme.
UNTAPPED SKILLS
Many a time, skills and talents of individuals, though essential, are left untapped and unexplored leading to much waste in human resources that could be utilised to turn round the fortunes of the nation and push it to a higher level of progress and development. Individual talent of the youth ought to be thoroughly tapped, explored to its full potential and developed to its full potential as a way of helping to maximise productivity at all fronts in all sectors in the economy.
Ultimately, a new module like the NABCO Skills and Talent Academy, will lead to increased job satisfaction and morale among the beneficiaries as future permanent employees, increased employee motivation, increased efficiency in processes, resulting in financial gain, increased capacity to adopt new technologies and methods as well as increased innovation in strategies and products. Thus, the progamme has great potentials for the entire country.
TRANSFORMING THE COUNTRY
What is being done today is what is necessary to transform the potential of the country in terms of increased productivity which will ultimately lead to maximum employment of the youth and generate massive and extensive welfare through economic development in the country. Carefully examined, NABCO has come as a strategic stop-gap measure meant to address youth unemployment in the country and bring down needless tension in all parts of the nation.
It is a programme that must be supported by everyone as a way of creating employment, even if on temporary basis for now, to bring about economic peace while we are given some room to adequately operate and manoeuvre in more comprehensive socio-economic terms for the common good for the nation. We expect all NABCO beneficiaries to put in their best and make maximum use of the opportunity provided them under the programme. Any form of indiscipline should never be tolerated.
ISSUE OF UNEMPLOYMENT
All over the world, the issue of unemployment today keeps threatening the peace and survival of mankind. This explains why Ghana’s innovative approach to the problem of unemployment must be appreciated and supported by all. Despite the challenges ahead, Ghana will have to work hard to emerge victorious in the fight against unemployment. This is because the ultimate success of the NABCO programme depends on all stakeholders so let us work hard towards its desired purpose.
The disturbingly unpleasant and unpalatable unemployment situation facing the world today is a matter of great concern to all governments, seeing that it is a problem that cannot be easily ignored or swept under the carpet.The reason for this is not far-fetched because unemployment is a potentially exclusive situation that can disturb the peace in any country. It is for this reason that efforts being made by the government of Ghana to address the problem are most welcome.
The intervention measure through the creation of a Nation Builders Corps has come in at a time when the youth of this country were almost reaching the level of hopelessness and anxiety in their socio-economic lives. To begin with, it has helped to ease pressure on unemployed graduates from our tertiary institutions. As a result, many of them can depend on their own selves for their basic personal expenditure instead of depending on their parents or guardians.
WHAT IS NECCESSARY
The point has already been made that what is being done today is what is necessary to transform the potential of the country in terms of increased productivity which will ultimately lead to maximum employment of the youth and generate massive and extensive welfare through economic development in the country. Carefully examined, NABCO has come as a strategic stop-gap measure meant to address youth unemployment in the country and bring down needless tension in all parts of the country.
Rome was not built in a day but through systematic gradual systems and policies that had helped in the transformation of socio-economic development. If Ghana is also to move ahead and compete favourably with other countries in the world, then we need to think of internally generated economic programmes that will help to transform the development agenda of the country.
TEMPORARY MEASURE
There is no doubt that NABCO is only a temporary measure that cannot be said to have solved the unemployment programme the country is facing. However, thinking about the numerous young persons who are now employed, even if temporarily, with an income that cannot be said to be adequate for complete survival, it is important for us to recognise that the nature of the stop-gap measure of the programme has come to solve some problems that the youth in the country were facing.
Certainly, NABCO cannot be the final blueprint for unemployment in the country. However, it is helping to deal with a problematic situation in form of unemployment that is confronting the youth in this country. It is a creative way of dealing with the unemployed situation, on temporary basis, while we allow the economy to expand and provide a form of improved employment for people in the country.
This is important because we must succeed!!!
Contact email/whatsApp of author:
Pradmat2013@gmail.com (0553318911)
By Dr. Kofi Amponsah-Bediako
In every society, there are people who do things their own way, regardless of what others think. Take the man who, by good fortune, acquired a beautiful Benz bus. Rather than becoming a bossy transport owner demanding daily accounts, he chose a different path. He hired a driver—but no driver’s mate. He became the mate himself. The bold inscription on the back of the bus reads: “MAN NO FOOL.”
He’s no fool, having long observed how drivers and mates conspire with daily accounts. He’s far above such tricks.
Domestic Pragmatism
Then there’s the married man enforcing his own version of the division of labor. One morning, he decreed he would handle all daily market shopping because he suspected his wife was “tearing chobo.” Earlier, he had claimed the kitchen ladle as his own, citing dissatisfaction with the portion sizes compared to his “chop-money” contributions.
From that day, he became the chief cook, while his wife became the steward. When the soup was ready, she would call him to allocate the meat. He called it “domestic pragmatism.”
The Dancing Kiosk
Consider a couple who ran a kiosk and, to protect their goods from theft, chose to sleep there each night. Last week, during heavy rains, they were asleep when the downpour started. Both began dreaming they were dancing at a jamboree—an uncanny simultaneous dream.
When they awoke, reality hit: their kiosk was afloat, doing a Michael Jackson-style dance in the floodwaters. They were lucky to survive. Others were not so fortunate.
That Tuesday, 24 residents of Accra lost their lives in the heaviest rains in 59 years. Property was destroyed, animals drowned, and the city experienced its worst traffic jams ever.
Floods and “Neck Insurance”
During the rains, waist-deep waters forced residents to become human transport, carrying others for a fee. I was spared, though I imagined my weight would have made “neck insurance” a must!
The aftermath left offices soaked, radios swimming on carpets, and workers struggling to salvage belongings. My office radio survived after drying, perhaps imbued with some holy-ghost luck—it seemed to walk on water.
A Call for Action
Mr. Nat Nunoo-Amarteifio, AMA boss, later appeared on the air to explain the floods, citing rising sea and lagoon levels. While informative, action is key. Years of warnings by veteran journalist Tom Dorkenoo—a man of prophetic environmental insight—have highlighted Accra’s vulnerability to floods. Two years ago, he outlined the risks, and the warnings proved accurate.
It is not enough for authorities to merely announce intentions to address drainage issues or unauthorized buildings. They must act decisively to prevent recurring disasters. Floods, property losses, and fatalities are preventable with proactive planning and strict enforcement of environmental regulations.
The Lesson
The saga of the dancing kiosk reminds us of human resilience, absurdity, and tragedy. While humor can lighten the story, the underlying message is serious: Accra’s flood challenges require urgent, sustained action.
Let us hope future rainy seasons bring fewer dancing kiosks and more effective city planning.
By Merari Alomele
Spectator
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Starvation is a complex issue influenced by multiple factors, including food availability, economic stability, and government policies. Understanding the mathematics of starvation involves analyzing calorie requirements, food distribution, and nutritional needs to ensure individuals receive sufficient sustenance for survival and health.
Calculating Nutritional Needs
To understand the scale of starvation, it is crucial to determine the daily caloric requirements of individuals based on age, sex, weight, and activity levels. For example, populations like that of the Gaza Strip require a specific number of calories per person per day to prevent malnutrition and starvation.
Food Distribution and Availability
Equally important is assessing food distribution and availability. This includes calculating the total food needed to meet nutritional requirements and ensuring it reaches those in need. In Gaza, Israel controls food inflow and determines the number of calories Palestinians require. However, the actual amount of food allowed into the territory often falls far below minimum nutritional needs.
Consequences of Inadequate Food Supply
Inadequate food supply leads to severe consequences such as malnutrition, starvation, and death. For instance, between March and June, Israel allowed only 56,000 tonnes of food into Gaza—less than a quarter of the territory’s minimum needs during that period.
Global Perspective
Starvation is not unique to Gaza. Millions worldwide face food insecurity due to conflict, climate change, and economic instability. Understanding the mathematics of starvation enables policymakers and humanitarian organizations to devise strategies that target the root causes of hunger effectively.
Key Factors Contributing to Starvation
- Poverty: Lack of resources limits access to sufficient food.
- Conflict: Wars disrupt food production and distribution networks.
- Climate Change: Extreme weather reduces agricultural yields.
- Economic Instability: Market fluctuations hinder access to food.
Addressing Starvation
Combating starvation requires addressing its underlying causes:
- Food Aid: Provide sufficient, targeted food assistance to those in need.
- Economic Support: Promote economic stability to improve access to food.
- Conflict Resolution: Resolve conflicts to restore production and distribution networks.
- Climate-Resilient Agriculture: Adopt sustainable agricultural practices to ensure long-term food security.
In conclusion, the mathematics of starvation underscores the urgent need for a comprehensive approach to food insecurity. By understanding nutritional needs, calculating food distribution, and tackling the root causes, societies can work towards a future where hunger is no longer a daily threat.
BY ROBERT EKOW GRIMMOND-THOMPON
Spectator
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