NYA Boss debunks ‘jobs policy document’ story; says it’s mischief

National Youth Authority (NYA) Boss Emmanuel Asigri has reacted to a news story that purports him to have said the Akufo-Addo government, in general, did not have any policy document on job creation for the youth.

Mr Asigri who has recently been in the news as part of the NYA’s partnership with GhOne TV to combat Tramadol and other substance abuse among the youth in various parts of the country expressed surprise about the nature of the story and the impression it sought to create which he maintains is false.

In a reaction to the news story copied to MyNewsGh.com, Mr Asigri said “I was on Star FM morning show yesterday and as part of the discussion, a question was put to me by the host as to whether there is a National Youth Employment Policy Document for the State and I stated there wasn’t. Now I have seen a story put out by starfmonline.com attributed to me as having said “The Akufo-Addo government has no strategic plan for creating jobs for the teeming unemployed youth in the country”. ”

Mr Asigri said the nature of the story is pure mischief, adding that he is of the “firm believe that some people who find themselves in the noble media profession don’t really know why and what they are there for and that is why we have fake news all over the place.” he pointed out.

“To start with, my main reason for appearing on the show was to tell the listening public what the Akufo-Addo government has done and is doing in addressing Youth Unemployment and having been an integral part of getting the young people of this country some respite. Even if I was drunk or under the Influence, I wouldn’t have slipped into making a statement close to what this journalist who for whatever reason made up this story was to have achieved." He explained further.

“The issue of a National Youth Employment Policy Document from my understanding is not a document that should be attributed to any political regime’s failure, this is a document the State should have put in place pre-dating and post-dating the Akufo-Addo government. NYA under my leadership as a responsible State Institutions has taken steps out of yesterday’s discussion to get a Youth Employment Policy Document in place as soon as possible alongside the review of the National Youth Policy.” he added.

“I therefore want to use this platform as the first means of debunking this palpable lie, but would still go further to serve starfmonline.com a rejoinder. I have been in the media space for close to 20 years now and each time I speak I know what it is I say and when to say what.” he warned. .