AHENSAN GETS A YOUTH CENTRE

THE Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, Mr Zhang Ke Yuan, has cut the sod for construction work to begin on a youth centre at Ahensan Estate in Kumasi.
The centre, which is being funded by the Chinese government at a cost of $1.3 million and is expected be completed in May next year, is designed to create an enabling environment for the youth to develop their potential more effectively.
It is being executed by Messrs Jiangsu Jiangdu, a construction company in China, and will have adequate facilities which will enhance indoor games and a multi-purpose conference centre for the youth in the metropolis in particular and other parts of the country in general.The construction of the centre is in line with the Chinese government’s foreign policy of collaborating more effectively with the government of Ghana by investing in the youth to enable them to develop their potential to the fullest.
In a speech, Mr Yuan said the Chinese government’s support to Ghana “is not a one-way traffic” because while China had been providing monetary support and technical expertise for Ghana in various sectors to boost its economy, Ghana had also been providing invaluable co-operation for China in the fields of bilateral relations and international co-operation.
“ We have been working hand in hand to develop our various economies and we will explore all avenues to support Ghana to reduce poverty among the populace to enable it to become a middle-income country in the near future,” he stressed.
He said it was through such relations that the government of China was supporting the construction of the Bui Dam at a cost of $600 million, in addition to the renovation of the National Theatre and other projects throughout the country.
Mr Yuan pointed out that the youth centre in Kumasi, which is the first of its kind in the country, was dear to the Chinese government and, therefore, urged the contractors to commit themselves to quality work for the benefit of the present and future generations.
In her welcoming address, the Kumasi Metropolitan Chief Executive, Madam Patricia Appiagyei, said the government initiated the National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP) as a way of exhibiting its commitment to the development of the youth.
She pointed out that the programme was now bearing fruits throughout the country and said in the Kumasi metropolis, for example, programmes in agriculture, community protection, waste and sanitation, as well as the rapid results revenue mobilisation and auxiliary health care, were being implemented.
According to Madam Appiagyei, 1,500 youths in the Kumasi metropolis had so far been engaged under the NYEP, while 1,000 more had also been screened to be recruited into various sectors where their services would be needed.
She said with the construction of the youth centre at Ahensan Estate, The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) would be providing the youth with a facility which would help them to harness their potential.
She commended the Chinese government for its invaluable support to Ghana and pointed out that such assistance was making it possible for the country to “achieve its goal of a holistic youth development”.
Madam Appiagyei also reiterated the need for the contractor to demonstrate a passion for quality work, timeliness and respect for the laws of the land, as spelt out under the agreement.
She assured the contractor that the assembly would not only be committed to the project to ensure its timely and smooth completion but also continue to support the National Youth Council and the youth in general to enable them to realise their God-given potential for national development.