Public should stop politicizing YES fund - Kofi Adams

Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Kofi Adams has advised the public not to depoliticize issues regarding the Youth Enterprise Support (YES) initiative by the incumbent government.

Speaking on Peace FM's Morning Show "Kokrokoo," Kofi Adams warned the Ghanaian citizenry to stop reading political meanings into the YES initiative, therefore calling on them to join forces to harness the programme.

Addressing the issue further, Mr. Adams urged the public not to underrate the entrepreneurial capabilities of the Ghanaian youth.

He called for full implementation of the initiative, stressing that the fund can only thrive when people become "bi-partisan in discussing issues concerning it.”

President John Dramani Mahama, delivering a speech at an event to mark the 2014 Youth Day on Tuesday, revealed that the government has apportioned Ghc10 million to support the young entrepreneurs in Ghana.

The fund is aimed at assisting the youth to be job creators, an initiative to curb the unemployment situation in the country.

Though several people have disdained the implementation of the YES initiative, President John Mahama however has assured the citizenry that the disbursement of the fund will be devoid of any political biases.

But some members of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), particularly the party's National Youth Organizer has kicked against the fund.

Sammy Awuku described the fund as "another avenue for people to loot state funds" whiles the Member of Parliament for Berekum, Dr. Twum Nuamah labeled the amount specified for the project as "woefully inadequate."

Nonetheless, Mr. Adams believes the Ghc10 million set aside to implement the fund is a step in the right direction.

He also argued that other initiatives such as the Ghana Youth Employment and Entrepreneurial (GYEEDA), which the government introduced to assist the youth should not be ruled out.