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Youth unemployment threat to national security
● Unemployment is a national threat
“We are experiencing violence and murders in the country because young people these days are capitalising on lack of jobs to do all manner of things: ritual activities, theft, robberies among other crimes. They are just ready to do anything for money.”
Mr. James Baba Anabiga, Speaker of Upper West Youth Parliament said this recently on the sidelines of a Research Dissemination Meeting at Wa which was under theme ”Wa Killings, Lapses and The Way Forward.”
He said although most young people in the country were faced with issues of unemployment, some of them had used that as an avenue to engage in all sort of illegalities and always gave the excuse that there were no jobs in the country.
The study was launched to assess the role of some stakeholders in resolving the mysteries behind the recent murders and disappearance of persons, particularly private security men in the region.
The Wa Municipality was recently trending for the consistent murder and alleged disappearance of 10 persons in separate incidents with seven of them being security guards (night watchmen) between April and September this year.
“It is important to state that the increasing rate of youth unemployment in the country cannot be ruled out in the current sad security situation in the Wa Municipality and the country at large”, he said.
The Speaker was of the view that regardless of the unemployment status of the youth in the country, the law would deal with any of them who was caught in any act of illegality, and advised them to abstain from the temptation of resorting to dubious means to make ends meet.
“I wish to advise the youth to get something to do, no matter how little, and avoid the habit of falling for engagements which are unlawful because in the long run, the law will not take youth unemployment as an excuse for any misdeed; the culprits will surely suffer whatever penalty due them”, he warned.
He further encouraged the government and other stakeholders to take up youth unemployment seriously because it was national security threat.
From Lydia Darlington Fordjour, Wa
The prosecution has officially rested its case in The Republic v Solomon Asamoah & Another, the high-profile legal battle commonly referred to as the “Sky Train” case.
The Deputy Attorney General Justice Srem Sai announced the development, praising the state’s team of hard-working prosecutors for successfully anchoring the state’s evidence before the High Court.
The criminal trial centers on the former Chief Executive Officer and the former Board Chairman of the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF).
The duo stands accused of illegally authorizing and paying out US$2 million to a foreign company without obtaining board directives or other mandatory statutory approvals.
State investigators have confirmed that the disbursed millions cannot be found.
Following the closure of the prosecution’s case, the accused persons moved the court for an opportunity to file a submission of no case.
The presiding judge granted the application, ordering the defense to submit their arguments by June 8.
The outcome of the June 8 filings will decide the fate of the trial:
With this, if the judge finds the defense’s submission convincing, the accused will be acquitted and discharged however, If the judge dismisses the submission, the court will order the accused officials to take the stand and explain why they should not face prison sentences.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Member of Parliament for Akuapem North, Sammy Awuku, has expressed deep sorrow following the sudden passing of Isaac Batsa, the constituency secretary for the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) lawmaker issued a statement on Tuesday reacting to the news, which has shocked the local political community.
Mr.Awuku praised the late NDC secretary for his bipartisan approach to local governance.
He noted that despite their different political affiliations, Batsa consistently rose above party lines to serve the constituency with diligence.
The MP revealed that the news was particularly shocking given that he had last interacted with Batsa just three days prior on Saturday.
Concluding his statement, Sammy Awuku extended his heartfelt condolences to Batsa’s family, the constituency and regional executives, and the entire NDC fraternity, wishing the deceased peaceful eternal rest.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
