Zambaga R. Saminu and William Jallulah
12 November 2009
Despite pleadings from President Mills, during his recent visit to Ejura in the Ashanti Region, to the teeming youth of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to exercise restraint, and that the jobs his party promised them, will be provided at the right time, the youth appear to have turned deaf ears to his request.
Some constituency executives of the party who claim they worked hard to bring it into power, have told The Chronicle that they were finding life unbearable under Mills' administration, because of their inability to get jobs.
According to them, they are uncomfortable when people complain incessantly about the harsh economic situation, since their own government appears not to be doing much to alleviate the suffering of the people.
They alleged that even within the party, there were some government officials who were deliberately working to make the government unpopular, by neglecting the concerns of the footsoldiers.
The Propaganda Secretary of the party in the Effia-Kwesimintsim constituency, Mr. Hamza Isshaku, who led a team of five disgruntled party members to the office of The Chronicle to complain about the unemployment situation, told the paper he and the other youth members of the party were also unhappy about this unfortunate development, judging from the tireless work some of them did, whilst the party was in opposition.
According to him, there were hundreds of aggrieved NDC youth activists in the Western Region, particularly the Effia-Kwesimintsim constituency, who are equally aggrieved and uncomfortable with their joblessness situation.
"We are not happy about what is happening in the government. We have been suffering silently, but we think that the time to talk is now. Nine months in office without a job is disturbing. Some of us sacrificed our jobs for the party, in anticipation that when the party comes to power, things will be well. But only few people are working and enjoying at the expense of the majority of the party's footsoldiers. We have a simple message for President John Evans Atta Mills: that we have confidence in his government, we know what he can do, but those at the regional level are not prepared to help the youth."
According to the 36 year old unemployed, his decision to sacrifice his time and money to be a regular serial caller for the party has not paid off, as his popularity in the Sekondi Takoradi metropolis rather cost him his job before the elections, and when his party came to power, nobody seems to be injecting hope in the teaming mass unemployed party faithful.
Hamza said when the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) was in government, they made it impossible for some of them to get jobs, because of the stance they took as loyal supporters of the then in opposition NDC.
"I lost my job, because my employer was authorised to sack me as an NDC member, that notwithstanding, I persevered and supported the party fully. The NDC is now in government, and I cannot find a job again under my government. This is unfortunate, the President must be aware of what is happening to some of us, because we suffered and toiled for the NDC," he added.
According to Hamza, almost all the zongo youth activists of the party, who were instrumental in the organisation of the party's activities during the campaign period last year, have been left out.
"All the zongo youth in my area have been neglected, we don't even know where to go, and who to go to under an NDC government. This is very sad, and indeed unfortunate," Hamza pointed out.
Recently, there have been grumblings among the teeming youth of the NDC across the nation, complaining about the lack of jobs, which the government of Professor Mills has not been able to find an antidote to.
Meanwhile in the Tamale metropolis, it is reported that a team of NDC youth activists, who are currently jobless and could not comprehend the bizarre situation, did the unthinkable, by besieging the offices of the Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE) to demand jobs.
During his recent visit to Ejura in the Ashanti Region, President Mills pleaded with his party followers to exercise patience, and that at the appropriate time they would get the jobs they were yearning for.
In a related development, William Jalular reports from Bolgatanga that the youth of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Upper East Region, have been warned to stop going to party offices to cause mahem, all in the name of searching for jobs.
The Regional Minister, Mr. Mark Woyongo, who gave the warning during the Regional Delegates' Conference of the NDC in Bolgatanga on Tuesday, advised the youth of the party to stay calm, as the government was going to create job avenues for them early next year.
He recalled the Tamale incidents, where some youth of the NDC stormed some offices, including te Metro Mass Transit Limited, and toilet facilities, to take charge, and stressed that the decision was not good for the image of the party.
Mr. Woyongo gave the assurance that the NDC government would create more jobs for the party youth early next year, as more models and opportunities would be created under the National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP).
The keenly contested regional conference saw the Regional Chairman of the party, Alhaji Mumuni Bolnaba, retaining his position, as he polled 79 votes to beat two other contestants, Dr. Robert Akuganaba, and Adambire Solomon.
Mr. Victor Yahaua polled 73 votes to become the First Regional Vice Chairman, while Mr. Robert Apasanaba polled 70 votes to emerge as the Second Vice Chairman. Other executive members include Mr. Donatus Akamugri, Regional Secretary, Mr. James Abanka, Deputy Regional Secretary, Alhaji Isah, Regional Treasurer, Mohammed Mashood, Deputy Regional Treasurer, Mr. Baba Kumasi, Regional Organiser, Mr. Bernard Bougzo, Propaganda Secretary, and S. Ahmed, Deputy Propaganda Secretary.
The newly-elected Regional Chairman, Alhaji Bolnaba, used the occasion to thank the delegates for the confidence they had in him, and making that to reflect in their re-electing him as Chairman.
He appealed to his opponents to rally behind him to unite members of the party in the region, and also to do away with factionalism, to enable it retain power in the 2012 general elections.
The Chairman was also optimistic that when they were to unite, it would enable the NDC capture all the 13 parliamentary seats in the region. The NDC currently holds eight out of the 13 seats in the region.
Some NDC members of Parliament (MPs) and government officials who were at the conference included Mr. Cletus Avoka, MP for Zebilla Constituency and Minister for the Interior, Mr. Roger Abolonbisa, Builsa North, Mr. Dominic Azumah, Garu-Tempane, Mr. Simon Akunye, Pussiga, Rev. Dr. Jacob Ayeebo, Member of the Council of State, First National Vice Chairperson of the NDC, Madam Hilda Salifu Bolco, Mr. Mahama Ayariga, Presidential Spokesperson, and Mr. Kofi Adams, National Deputy Youth Organiser and spokesperson for former president Rawlings.
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